Touched by Indigo - Royal Ontario Museum

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