Indonesian; Ritual Cloth with Design of Calligraphic Motifs in Arabic (kain batik tulisan Arab) (detail), early 20th century; machine-spun plain-weave cotton with hand-drawn wax-resist decoration (batik tulis), natural dyes; 86 1/2 × 34 1/2 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Textile Arts and Robert Coffland 83:2024
Indonesian Textiles
Weavings from an Island Nation
May 21, 2027–May 28, 2028- Location
- Carolyn C. and William A. McDonnell Gallery 100
- Admission
- Free
Since 2010, the Museum’s collection of Indonesian textiles has significantly increased in breadth and depth through gifts and purchases. This representative range of textiles reflects the immense scope of the Indonesian archipelago, from the large island of Sumatra in the west to the Lesser Sunda Islands in the east.
This exhibition features a selection that demonstrate the diversity of Indonesian textiles. It demonstrates the astonishing, creative impulses of a wide range of cultures within a country of far-flung islands. Alongside cloths woven with supplementary wefts, three other compelling and specialized textile techniques will be highlighted: ikat (weaving with resist-dyed yarns), songket (brocade with metallic threads), and batik tulis (hand-drawn wax-resist decoration).
All the pieces in the exhibition are on view for the first time, and together, they celebrate one of the Museum’s new collection strengths in Southeast Asian art, with textiles being a particular focus.
Indonesian Textiles: Weavings from an Island Nation is curated by Philip Hu, curator of Asian art.
Indonesian, made by the Paminggir people, Woman’s Ceremonial Skirt (tapis inuh), 18th century; handspun cotton, warp ikat, embroidery with silk and metallic-wrapped threads, natural dyes; 51 15/16 × 50 3/8 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Robert T. Coffland and Ellen E. Moore 234:2023