Postcards from Thailand
Jessica Switzer Green, owner and artist of JG SWITZER visits the natural dye weaving workshop Studio Naenna of Textile Professor Patricia Cheesman and her daughter Lamorna in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. We dyed from local Thai plants cultivated in her garden and foraged from the mountains.
Indigo Dyeing Workshop
Indigo leaves, Burmese ebony (inner bark), Neem bark, Betal nuts, Stick lac resin and insect all sourced and expertly dyed to make cotton and silk masterpieces all within the magical workshop.
Why is Eddie wearing white to an Indigo dye workshop? Rookie move.
Serpent's Everywhere
Hidden Shapes in the Weave Protect the Shaman
Prof Patrica's exhibit Woven Shaman's Helpers best explained by Patricia here - hidden in the Shaman's wovens are serpents, birds and elephant spirits, hidden shapes woven into the clothe to protect the shaman from evil spirits.
"In the Tai Daeng communities of Hua Phan province, Laos, the shamans, either men or women, travel in trance to the after world in search of medicinal cures, ritual remedies, lost souls, and sometimes for a new life to bring to this world. For these journeys, the shamans need helpers to protect, transport, and guide them. The strongest of these helpers are cosmic creatures that stem from the ancient history of the Lao-Tai peoples.
The serpent dates back 4,000 years and is a symbol of female energy with control over life-giving waters, fertility, and the treasures of the earth.
The bird is a symbol of male energy. Another important and prominent creature is the elephant-bird. This giant creature has great strength and because it can fly, it can also transport the shaman, lost souls, or children back to this realm." - Excerpt from Woven Shamans Helpers exhibit.
Elephant Park Sanctuary
