Gibson House Museum - Connecting through our Diversity
An exhibition made entirely with silk fabric using several printing techniques to create Textile depth patterns colours imagery prints transfer.
Connecting Through Our Diversity is an enliven textile installation entirely made with silk fabric, recognizing the complex colonial legacy of historical museums and institutions. Through the use of traditional African textiles, natural dye techniques and earth pigments, Textile artist Arlette Ngung revisits the role and participation of women, indigenous communities, black abolitionist women and various diasporas in the construction of collective memories and stories.
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An exhibition made entirely with silk fabric using several printing techniques to create Textile depth patterns colours imagery prints transfer.
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An exhibition made entirely with silk fabric using several printing techniques to create Textile depth patterns colours imagery prints transfer.Â
From a perspective of reconciliation, Arlette revisits archival documents and imagery and re-evaluates the way their stories are being shared. Her work bridges cultural and generational lines to help break down social barriers, celebrate Tkaronto’s heritage, and open conversation between communities.
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“In my research for the exhibition, I wanted to see the parallels between the lives of Indigenous women, Canadian settler women and black abolitionist women in Canada. Women have always played and continue to play a significant role in society but they have been so often fading into the background, making them not visible, not recognized and not rewarded for their hard work. To my dismay, women's lives were barely documented due to the disparity between men and women.