The Artist
"My background plays a tremendous part in the work that I do, from the colourful prints and cultural history of beautiful Eastern and Central Africa. I believe that using a visual literacy approach with textile as a vehicle to tell a story is a great way to explore the world and create social change. "
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"My Goal is to continue to impact people one Workshop at a time"
Arlette Ngung
African Vegan Art
The African Vegan Art is inspired by traditional African textiles dyeing and weaving techniques such as Kuba, Barkcloth and Bogolanfini one of Africa's most unusual and unique traditional textile arts.
The motifs are usually abstract representations of everyday objects that give rise to proverbs, songs and representations of historical events. In the workshop, participants learn and engage with this historical textile dyeing technique to create unique textiles for themselves.
Participants learn about the history and origin of African Textile Art and its influence on the western world.
This cultural exposure is an opportunity for the instructor Arlette Ngung to help change the narrative of what it means to create valuable African Textile Art and showcase its influence throughout the world.
Arlette Ngung
Arlette is the grant recipient of:
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Ontario Arts Council - Craft Projects, October 2021​
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Toronto Arts Council - Project Black Arts, December 2021​
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Toronto Arts Council - Animating Historic Sites, Gibson House, October 2021​
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Toronto Arts Council - Artist in Library, December 2020
Arlette is a Textile Artist Educator and Pattern maker inspired by tradition and sustainability, weaving together old and new practices.
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Devoted to the preservation and reinterpretation of traditional African Textile and natural dyeing techniques, one of her main passions is protecting and sharing the historical heritage of African Art from which much of her inspiration is drawn.
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Her background plays a huge role in her work — from the colourful prints and cultural history of Eastern and Central Africa, Arlette uses a visual literacy approach with textiles as a medium to tell stories, explore the world and inspire societal change.
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Arlette was profiled for her vegan approach to art workshops in interviews with CBC Radio Canada and was featured in Selvedge Magazine UK publication.
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Her credentials include a degree in Fashion Design/Patternmaking from the Fashion Institute of Technology of New York, USA - a Certificate in Computer Aided Design from Formamod, Paris, FRANCE and a Certificate in Artist Educator Professional Development Program from York University, Toronto, CANADA
AFRICAN VEGAN ART WORKSHOPS FEATURED ON:
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