Saint Louis Art Museum To Present 'Chinese Silk Textiles Of The Ming And Qing Dynasties'

St. Louis MO

09 June, 2022

3:59 PM

Description

Press release from the St. Louis Art Museum: June 8, 2022 The Saint Louis Art Museum will present "Chinese Silk Textiles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties," an exhibition showcasing rare examples of clothing, embroideries, hangings and banners from the museum's collection. The free exhibition opens July 1. Chinese silk textiles were used for many different purposes and settings, mostly for the luxury and beauty they imparted. These include clothing and accessories, as well as furnishing fabrics and decorative pieces. The exhibition will explore the diversity of Chinese silks, which varied in the numerous types of weaves employed and the many colors and patterns used. The show will also highlight common motifs on Chinese textiles, including animals and mythical creatures, floral and plant imagery, geometric forms, Buddhist and Daoist symbols and various auspicious emblems. The museum started purchasing fine examples of Chinese textiles more than a century ago and it continues to acquire rare pieces of high quality. Numerous generous gifts from local patrons and donors have also greatly augmented the collection over many decades. "Chinese Silk Textiles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties" is curated by Philip Hu, curator of Asian art. The installation will be on view in the Carolyn C. and William A. McDonnell Gallery 100 through December 18. The exhibition will complement "Global Threads: The Art and Fashion of Indian Chintz," a ticketed textile exhibition that opens in October. This press release was produced by the City of St. Louis. The views expressed here are the author's own.