Mexican anthropologist and curator Marta Turok offered a public lecture on January 17, entitled “From Uncertain Origins to Uncertain Futures: The Ikat Rebozo from Mexico”, in the context of the rebozo exhibition “Tied, Dyed and Woven: Ikat Textile Expressions from Latin America” at the Textile Museum of Canada (TMC) in Toronto.
The anthropologist highlighted the geographical origin of the rebozo and the different techniques used to make them, underscoring the historic moment of the birth of the Ikat technique and the differences between the producers who use them. She also talked about the evolution of the rebozo out of the sarape in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in relation to its use by Mexico’s different social classes, as well as the history of the weavers and the technique used in Mexico by the producers of this traditional garment.
During her talk she displayed images of the towns where rebozos continue to be produced, highlighting Santa María del Río in the state of San Luis Potosí and Tenancingo in the State of Mexico, and noting the innovative technique of the craftsmen Arturo Estrada and Evaristo Hernández, as well as the innovative designs of Carla Fernández and Carmen Rión.
Marta Turok gave a guided tour of the exhibition, which features 37 looms owned by the TMC, and which will remain open to the public until March 18, 2018.