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2016/03/24 - 2016/05/09
Silks From The Silk Road - Chinese Art of Silk
QM Gallery, Katara
Silks From The Silk Road - Chinese Art of Silk at the QM Gallery Katara was the second major exhibition of the Qatar-China 2016 Year of Culture, reflecting on the rich artistry of Chinese silk in terms of art, techniques and fashion design over thousands of years.
The exhibition provided a fascinating insight into the Silk Road as a bridge for economic and cultural exchange between East and West over 2,000 years ago.
In collaboration with Qatar Museums, the China National Silk Museum brought a range of ancient and modern Chinese silk treasures to Doha, demonstrating the artistry of the Chinese silk-making culture and industry.
The exhibition included 100 specially curated silk products and modern artistic silk garments, as well as other accompanying exhibits such as ornate ceramic tea sets.
The exhibition explored four different themes, beginning with the material properties and diverse uses of silk and the silk products created throughout history. Secondly, the different techniques of silk production, traditional embroidery, ornamental brocading, the Kesi weaving technique, silk painting, as well as new silk design concepts.
The exhibition then focused on the art of silk, including the new digital textile technology and the integration of traditional weaving and dyeing techniques.
Finally, the exhibition examined the legacy of Zhang Qian, a Chinese official and diplomat who played a key role in opening China to commercial trade in the 2nd century BCE, by setting up the Silk Road.
