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Taiwan’s centuries-old handicraft 'rush weaving' to showcase in London

  • Date:2021-09-30~2021-10-10
Taiwan’s centuries-old handicraft  'rush weaving' to showcase in London

Supported by the Ministry of Culture and associated with Taiwan Yuan-Li Handiwork Association, the exhibition "Lines of Possibilities: Taiwanese Rush Weaving" has been specially curated for London Craft Week 2021, which will run from Oct. 4 to 10, taking place at over 200 separate locations across the city and on its website.

Accompanied by two free workshops, the exhibition starts on Sep. 30 until Oct. 10. It traces the origins of Taiwanese rush weaving (藺草編織), starting with the memories woven with rush by the households of Yuanli, Miaoli, through to recent innovations in the industry and the emergence of brand creation and cross-field collaborations. Not only will attendees be able to discover the full history of rush weaving in Taiwan, but also the various design and production concepts that permeate the craft. From home décor to fashion, over twenty products woven from cyperus malacceni will also be on display, bringing the beauty of Taiwanese rush weaving to life.

Since 2017, the Ministry of Culture has sponsored the participation of Taiwanese craft at London Craft Week – making this the fifth consecutive year that original Taiwanese creativity has been on display to UK audiences. Taiwan's participation at London Craft Week is an opportunity to introduce the island nation's craftsmanship.

Taiwanese rush weaving - an intangible cultural asset - has a history reaching back over 300 years, originating from the small township of Yuanli in northwestern Taiwan, also known as the hometown of Taiwanese rush.

Handicrafts such as rush-woven mats and hats were the among Taiwan's top three exports during the Japanese colonial era and the post-World War II period. However, as time went on, Taiwan’s rapid economic development and the rise of mass produced goods on the island nation caused a decline in the rush weaving industry.

In recent years, a younger generation of talented young artisans have returned to Yuanli, sparking a renewed interest in this traditional industry and reviving the craft of rush weaving. A new page in the story of Taiwanese rush weaving has begun, giving the craft global recognition.

London Craft Week is one of the largest annual art festivals celebrating craft. Now in its seventh year, the festival brings together established and emerging makers, designers, brands and galleries from around the world. The festival is curated on basis of underlying substance, adding an essential dash of magic and inspiration that separates the great from being merely good.

For more information on the event, please visit London Craft Week's website.