Cloth
Date1999
Label TextSuch cloth projects a large dose of visual excitement in West Africa, as it is worn by people of all ages. Images of fingernails, mango pits, and cellphones can be chosen to suit particular situations. The blue and white tendrils seen here are known as the “advisor cloth”—to be worn by someone who is ready to offer informal counseling. The wax print cloth industry emerged out of a unique collaboration, involving the influence of Javanese batiks, French printing innovations, and a booming desire for printed cotton in Africa. By 1893, Dutch, English, and Swiss factories were shipping large quantities of cloth to Africa. In the 20th century, African factories emerged to overtake their monopoly.
Object number99.56.4
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, West African Wax Prints, May 1, 2000 - May 15, 2000Credit LineGeneral Acquisition Fund
Dimensions47 x 71 3/4 in. (119.4 x 182.2 cm)
MediumWax-printed cotton
Object number: 99.56.1
Object number: 99.56.2
Object number: 99.56.3
Object number: 99.56.5
Object number: 99.56.6
Object number: 99.56.7
Object number: 99.56.8
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