Exploring Textile: Mali Mud Cloth
Registration
$125.00
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Letitia Fraser
Sunday, November 24
10:00am – 4:00pm
One of the best ways to learn about another culture’s tradition is to immerse yourself within it. During this workshop, we will explore the world of Mali Mud Cloth, or Bogolanfini, a traditional African textile art form rich in history and cultural symbolism. In this workshop, you’ll learn about the fascinating origins of mud cloth, where each pattern and symbol convey a unique story passed down through generations in Mali. The introduction to this practice will offer understanding into the traditional methods used, giving you a deeper appreciation for the art form’s cultural meaning.
You will then apply what you’ve learned by creating your own mud cloth-inspired textile. Using a combination of acrylic paints and block printing techniques, you’ll design and craft your own unique patterns, blending an African tradition with your creative expression. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a beginner curious about new artistic forms that can also tell a story, this workshop is perfect as it will also enable you to engage with African heritage while crafting something entirely of your own making.
By the end, you will walk away with a meaningful, one-of-a-kind textile and a deeper connection to this amazing tradition!
Bookings
Letitia Fraser
Letitia Fraser is an interdisciplinary artist, whose work centres around her experience as an African Nova Scotian woman, growing up in the province’s Black communities of North Preston and Beechville. Descending from a long line of artists, her creative instincts were nurtured early in life. Through a combination of painting and textiles, she unearths previously untold narratives and pays homage to her community’s history of quilting. Recent exhibitions include Family Patterns with Darcie Bernhardt at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (2022), Every Chain at the Chester Art Gallery, Halifax (2022), Letitia Fraser at Mount St. Vincent Art Gallery, Nova Scotia (2019) and Mommy’s Patches: Traditions & Superstitions at the Anna Leonowens Gallery, Nova Scotia (2019). She graduated with a BFA from NSCAD University in 2019. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2018 Nova Scotia Talent Trust RBC Emerging Artist Award and was recently longlisted for the 2022 Sobey Art Award. Her work is included in several private and public collections including the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Scotiabank, the Canada Council and the Wedge Collection.