Touched by Indigo - Royal Ontario Museum

the block to the fabric produces different results. While some images
are sharp, others may be faint. While most have clean edges, a few
do suffer from blurred contours or even the loss of certain details. Yet,
notwithstanding the minor defects, the unpredictable crackle pattern
created during the dyeing process gives each creature an individual
look. It is precisely this element of surprise that gives wax-resisted
products such a special visual charm.
THIS DOOR CURTAIN is a factory product. The centre of the design
depicts a bird perched on a lotus stem enclosed by a circle. It is
framed by four lotuses and their stems. Eight goldfish outside this
frame swim from different directions towards it, and identical fanciful
forms of a curly plant disposed at both short ends complete the
arrangement. The border patterns at the bottom include a band of
spikes and another band with
circled dots and dots filling
the lozenges and triangles
formed by connecting crosses.
The spiked band enhances the
fringes, making them look longer.
Goldfish (jinyu) swimming
in a pond (shuitang) calls to
mind the expression, jinyu mantang,
which means abundant
wealth. As a composite motif,
fish swimming among flowers
(usually lotuses) embodies the
desire for a harmonious marital
union and abundant offspring.
As a commercial product,
this door curtain suffers from an
overly contrived design and a
21
mechanical quality inherent
in the drawing. The static
visual effect is a far cry from
the intriguing vibrancy inherent
in works from the hands
of women of various ethnic
groups who practise the art of
21. TWO DOOR CURTAINS, Cotton, 2003, Kaili, Cuizhou province, Gift of Dr. Ka
Bo Tsang in memory of Mrs. Tsang Ng Sheung, 2004.68.21, 22, L. 171 cm x W. 86 cm
(with dyed pattern), L. 188 cmxW. 91.5 cm (with partially waxed pattern)
traditional wax-dyeing everyday.