Threads of Time: Textiles from the Brewster Collection

Threads of Time: A Cultural Journey explores textiles from around the world with vibrant photography highlighting the distinct regions and makers that create these works of art.

Threads of Time: A Cultural Journey is a journey around the world through the medium of textiles. In many communities, cultural heritage and traditions have been handed down through generations by textile artisans. Their beliefs, history, ceremonies, and traditions have been woven into cloth with meaning and purpose sometimes lasting thousands of years. Textiles are special in that they can create narratives that are personal as well as eminently portable.
The pages of Threads of Time: A Cultural Journey illustrate exquisite textiles with location photography, from historical examples of centuries past to extraordinary contemporary expressions, revealing a continuum of inspiration and beauty. The 16 chapters, covering regions from across the globe, feature contributions from local textile makers and experts, bringing together over 30 voices to tell stories of cloth.

Locations explored include: Indonesia, China, Vietnam and Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, Bhutan, Nagaland, Punjab, Egypt and Palestine, The Caucasus, Turkey, Madagascar, Tunisia, Ghana, Peru and Guatemala, Navajo Nation.

Dan and Dara Brewster have long been inspired by heritage textiles and the cultural narratives they convey. They view artisanal textile making as a foundation for cultural appreciation and advocacy. Lyssa C. Stapleton is the Director of the Waystation Initiative at the UCLA Cotsen Institute of Archaeology. She is interested in the evolution of museum collections stewardship in the 21st century, decolonization and repatriation, and social justice via the protection and recognition of cultural heritage.