Touched by Indigo - Royal Ontario Museum
Touched by Indigo - Royal Ontario Museum
Touched by Indigo - Royal Ontario Museum
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS<br />
<strong>Touched</strong> <strong>by</strong> <strong>Indigo</strong>: Chinese Blue-and-White Textiles and<br />
Embroidery would not have happened without the gracious support<br />
of many people. Back in 2001, Dr. Alexandra Palmer invited me to<br />
organize a textile exhibition of my choice. In the following year, an<br />
anonymous donor gave me a generous research grant which enabled<br />
me to take a much needed study trip to China.<br />
In the first two weeks of September 2003, I visited indigo dyeshops<br />
and museums in Shanghai, Nantong, Wuzhen, Hangzhou,<br />
Wenzhou, Cuiyang, and Kaili, talked to indigo growers and dyers,<br />
conferred with textile experts, and gathered published research data.<br />
I am particularly indebted to Dr. Zhao<br />
Feng, Deputy Director of the China<br />
National Silk <strong>Museum</strong> in Hangzhou,<br />
who suggested places of research<br />
interest and provided me with contacts.<br />
Xu Cuohua, Deputy Director<br />
of Nantong Textile <strong>Museum</strong>, and Wu<br />
Yuanxin, Curator of China Nantong<br />
Blue Calico Art Gallery, too, went out<br />
of their way to make my visit to their<br />
institutions both very educational and<br />
enjoyable.<br />
In preparing this exhibition, Karla<br />
Livingston was tireless in showing me artifacts in storage and photographing<br />
items for my preliminary selection. Anu Liivandi promptly<br />
provided me with the computer documentation I needed. Jack<br />
Howard, as always, patiently and cheerfully guided me out of inevitable<br />
problems.<br />
A talented design team has worked very hard in developing<br />
the exhibition from concept to production. Special thanks are due<br />
Seema Hollenberg (Project Manager), Emilio Cenovese (Exhibit<br />
Designer), Steven Spencer (Interpretive Planner), Monique Tanton-<br />
Lawson (French Translator), and Shirley Ellis (Textile Conservator).<br />
Lenders to the exhibition also deserve special mention. They<br />
include Mrs. Mitzi Beale, Dr. Doris Dohrenwend, Mrs. Sara Irwin,<br />
Mrs. Patty Proctor, Ms. Tammy H.W. Yue, Dr. W.J. Zurowski, and the<br />
Textile <strong>Museum</strong> of Canada. Their treasures add significantly to the<br />
content of the exhibition.<br />
This publication was envisaged as an exhibition guide to<br />
enhance the visitor experience. Due to popular demand, it has<br />
been redesigned <strong>by</strong> Elia Kanaki, Creative Director of Rossul Design,<br />
and produced <strong>by</strong> Tim Kacurov, a member of the Bishop White<br />
Committee, for the wider public. Mrs. Patricia Harris, Chairperson of<br />
the Textiles & Costume Committee, showed much enthusiasm and<br />
support throughout this project. Their initiative to make it a reality is<br />
greatly appreciated.<br />
Several images appearing in this guide are made available <strong>by</strong> Ma<br />
Jianhe (pp. 3, 9, 10), Ruth Kurzbauer (p. 20), Xiao Yunji (p. 35), Zhang<br />
Qin (p. 34), and Dr. Zhao Feng (p. 35). These images are important in<br />
clarifying dye-making and textile-patterning methods.<br />
Finally, to all who have shown interest and encouragement in<br />
one way or another, I offer my sincere thanks.<br />
Ka Bo Tsang, PhD<br />
January 2005<br />
<strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Ontario</strong> <strong>Museum</strong><br />
Toronto, <strong>Ontario</strong>, Canada<br />
9 October 2004-10 April 2005