As we gear up for A Week of Indigo, I've been reading up on the significance of indigo. Indigo is probably the most universally flattering color so it's no wonder that it has been an important color in many cultures around the world. It is also one of the oldest dyes used in textiles, with its roots in India. The indigo plant, which is soaked and fermented, is where natural indigo comes from - and it can be mixed with other substances to produce different shades, including purple.
The color resonates deeply for many of us - and it's been said to be the color of the Third Eye, linked to intuition and mysticism.
Catherine Legrand, our guest curator, has spent over 20 years traveling and researching indigo and ethnic textiles. We're delighted to have her at the Gallery, displaying indigo pieces from around the world and giving a talk about her work. She is also the author of "Indigo: The Colour That Changed the World" and she will be signing books at the Gallery on Monday, October 6 at 4pm.
Also on display will be other indigo pieces brought by Jill Heppenheimer. Most of the pieces will be available for sale and we will post images here on the website.
We hope that you'll join us on Tuesday, October 7, when Catherine gives her talk at the Wheelwright Museum Library at 4pm, and stay on for the screening of "Blue Alchemy" - a documentary about Indigo by New Mexico filmmaker Mary Lance. Santa Fe Weaving Gallery makes a cameo appearance in that film!
The first exhibit will run Monday, October 6 through Saturday, October 11. Then - it doesn't end there! - we will have an invitational showing of indigo pieces specially made by some of the Gallery's artists the week of October 13-18.
Please join us in the gallery and online to view what will be an exciting and beautiful collection of Indigo.
Elise