Tanzanian Batiks

About

A touch of East Africa is coming to Florence Arts Centre this spring with an exhibition of Tanzanian Batiks, kitenges and traditional dress, in co-operation between Florence Arts Centre and The Cumbrian-Rungwe Community Link (CRCL). CRCL was established in 1987 with the aim of linking two rural communities with similar, yet different ways of life, and this has been a fruitful collaboration for almost 30 years.

Batik is a traditional method of creating colourful textiles using wax and dye, a technique which has developed into its own artform with the use of different wax solutions, experimentation with colours and materials - cotton, paper, silk, leather. The vibrant colours and exuberant stylistic flourishes can be seen in Tanzanian kitenges (large sarong-type fabrics) and other traditional dress, examples of which will also be included in the exhibition.

On Saturday May 21st we will be having an informal social event from 6pm to 8.30pm where we welcome friends of the link both past and present plus anybody else who may be interested, to join us for a bite to eat and drink and a chat. As part of the evening we'll be holding an anonymous CD Art sale - we need your art! If you would like to create a piece of work for the sale please bring it in to Florence or let us know and we can arrange collection. Works must be 12cm x 12cm and will be sold for £10 each, anonymously. We'll also have a tombola including Tanzanian artefacts and a raffle for one of the Batiks on display. All monies from this evening will go directly to help communities in Tanzania. Please take part, either by sending in some art or coming along on the night.  Entry to this event is free and everyone is welcome!