Here we must ask whether there is a universal definition of what art is! The obvious answer is, of course not! However, within the broad understanding of what art is, one can only interpret the artwork of pictorial tapestry on the basis of what is an undestandable art and how it reflects life...
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| Primary Raw Material - Sheep Wool |
The basic raw material used on the tapestry's main body is sheep wool. After its been processed in order to remove any foreign particle or dirt, the wool is then washed and dried. Wool is now ready to be put through a dyed process involving natural and synthetic dyes. Fibre artist's colour specifications are followed to ensure colour,tone, and shade success.
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| Dye Bath |
Dried raw wool is placed in a temperature controlled water of a dye-bath. Natural and synthetic salts are used to ensure permanence of colour and firmness. Amount of dyestuff and time requirements in the dye bath gives wool its desired colour, tone, and shade depth. Colour results, however, may vary depending on natural conditions of temperature and state of dyestuff.
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| Rolag |
The Fibre Artist needs small quantities of dyed wool every time he/she In-Lays. Arolag is the final stage of wool readiness. Rolag, in a variety of colours, shades, and tones, are hanging over the loom ready to be used. The Fibre Artist would combine two or more colours (by method of finger-carding) to create a colour mixture. Al-though the medium is different, the process of mixing is identical to that of the painter who is about to mix two or more tones to create a desired colour of his/her choice.
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| Dyed Fibre |
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| The Hand Loom |
The hand loom is the basic tool a fibre artist requires to work on his/her artwork. It ensures the structural formation of the fibre artwork by means of interweaving of warp and weft threads.
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| Interweaving |
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| Metal Picker |
The metal picker is used for poking, pulling, and pushing the In-Laid wool in its proper position. It helps to form a general background, distinctive lines between two or more colours, shades and tones. No In-Laid wool can be placed without the use of the metal picker.
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| Fibre Artwork in Process |
Below is a fibre artwork in process. A picture was taken from above the warp of threads showing the unfinished tapestry at the hand-loom. A starting point of In-Laid wool is showing at the right-hand side of the picture below. This unfinished tapestry is part of the one which is shown being completed.
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| Finished Piece |
The warp and weft threads form an integral part of the structural base of the fibre artwork.