Exhibition: Born of the Indian Ocean: The Silks of Madagascar at the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto

Now Open

Exploring the ROM’s unique collection of Textiles from Madagascar

Middle East / South Asia Special Exhibit case, 3rd Floor Lee-Chin Crystal.

Although an island, Madagascar has never been isolated. Situated in the Indian Ocean, at the crossroads of trade networks, its people have long had close ties to Asia, Africa, and Europe. Nowhere is this more visible than in their vibrant textile arts.

The Royal Ontario Museum is home to one of the world's best collections of silks from highland Madagascar, gathered under the curatorial expertise of Dr. Sarah Fee of ROM Textiles & Fashions. This exhibit takes advantage of this unparalleled collection to explore wildly coloured and patterned 19^th-century wraps known as akotifahana. Great works of art, these cloths also had great ceremonial value. The exhibition presents Dr. Fee’s new research into their recent roots in the Indian Ocean... and beyond.

Links:

ROM Magazine article (PDF)

Research:
In Living Colour: the ROM’s unique collection of textiles from Madagascar