From Tattoos to Textiles unlocks a rich world of secret symbols, many of whose meanings have been lost, and which are sometimes even hidden from those who make, wear and use them.
It is a fascinating journey into history, geography, anthropology and art. The world of Indonesian textiles is so vast that it is impossible to describe all the treasures in one volume, so what we have attempted to do is explain why they are so important to the people of Asia and in particular Indonesia and refer to a few examples that a visitor is likely to encounter. Murni has been collecting textiles for many decades. The book contains photographs of her superb pieces.
We have also tried to describe what to look for in a textile, not only in the cloth but also the context in which it is used, in other words how to appreciate and evaluate it. Fine materials and skilful weaving are a prerequisite. These create the base for the visual and tactile impact. The visual often tells a story rich in historical allusions and symbolic meanings.
