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AfricanTextiles

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calebito017
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3 views

AfricanTextiles

Uploaded by

calebito017
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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African Textiles
Adire Eleso and Adinkra
This project combines two different textile techniques used by artists in Africa.

Adire Eleso is a tie-dying process that has been practiced and


perfected by the people of Nigeria in West Africa. Designs and
patterns are created by folding, bunching, and twisting fabric
and then tying or sewing it tightly so the inside areas will resist
dye applied to the fabric. Sewing beans and seeds into the
cloth to create millions of tiny circles is one of the most ornate
and beautiful traditional designs. Traditional Adire cloth is
soaked in an indigo dye. We will be using multiple colors to
dye our fabric.

Adinkra cloth is fabric that has been decorated with African


symbols and designs. The symbols are cut from calabash,
dipped into homemade ink, and stamped onto cloth. We will
be cutting our Adinkra inspired designs from a soft printing
block.

The Project

Tie-Dying (Adire Eleso)


We will be using cotton fabric for this project. You will
need to have a plan on how you will be dying your fabric
before you begin. The teacher will demonstrate how to
create a spiral, bullseye (what’s another name for this?),
circles, and stripes. Some of these techniques can be
combined for interesting effects.

Printing (Adinkra)
For this project you will be creating 2 designs similar to
the ones used to make Adinkra cloth. You will have
sample designs to look at for inspiration. You may use
ideas from the sample designs, but you will need to
change them by adding your own ideas. (No copying!)

Handout Created by S. Wagner-Marx


1. First you will need to brainstorm ideas and meanings for your designs.
Please use the box below to write out your ideas!

2. Now think about how you can portray these ideas visually. What will the
symbols look like? Use the boxes below to create thumbnail sketches of
your ideas.

*IMPORTANT: Imagine the symbols are like bubble letters – they should
have thickness to them!

You want this: Not this:

3. Now choose two of your designs for your final prints. Trace the block onto
a piece of drawing paper and redraw just the outline of your designs.
Make sure you are filling the space with your design!

Handout Created by S. Wagner-Marx


4. In one design color the positive space. The positive space is the design.
In the other design color the negative space. The negative space is the
area surrounding the design, or what we normally think
of as the background. (Ms. W will demonstrate this for
you!)

5. Transfer your designs to your printing block. For each of


your designs, you will be carving away the part of your
design you did not color in. In other words, the part you
colored in will be the raised part that you print.

*You must be VERY CAREFUL when carving the printing block. Remember to
always cut AWAY from your hand that is anchoring the block.

We will first create test prints of both designs onto printing paper. Follow the
printing directions carefully to insure a clean final print. When you have created
at least 1 test print that you are satisfied with (for both designs), you will be ready
to print the block onto your Adire Eleso cloth.

*Printing from a raised surface is called relief printing.

Printing Steps
1. Squeeze a small amount of water based ink onto the rolling surface.

2. Use a brayer to evenly roll out the ink. It should sound crackly and look
sticky. If the brayer is sliding around and not rolling, you have too much
ink on the brayer and you will need to spread it out more.

3. Roll the brayer over the surface of the printing block that you are going to
print. Make sure you cover all of the raised areas completely!

4. Set the brayer down, roller side up! Carefully pick up your printing block
and turn it upside down. Line it up over the paper or cloth you are printing
on and press it down firmly.

5. While applying pressure, rub your hand over the back of the block. When
you are sure you have pressed it all down, you can carefully lift it and turn
it back over so the inked side is up.

6. You can now re-ink the same side and print again (if you are using the
same color) or you can rinse it off and dry it and print the other side.

7. When you are finished printing on a piece of paper or on your cloth, carry
it to the drying rack so it can dry until the next class period.

Handout Created by S. Wagner-Marx

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