Calabi Gallery

Featuring an Eclectic Array of Primarily 20th Century Artwork

“Tapestries of Egypt – An Experiment in Creativity” Lecture by David Williams followed by discussion with Joyce Ertel Hulbert on contemporary tapestry weaving – Wednesday, March 11th 7pm

Posted on | March 7, 2015 | Comments Off on “Tapestries of Egypt – An Experiment in Creativity” Lecture by David Williams followed by discussion with Joyce Ertel Hulbert on contemporary tapestry weaving – Wednesday, March 11th 7pm

A Duck & Her DucklingsA Duck & Her Ducklings from the Atelier Ramses Wissa Wassef, Contemporary Egyptian Tapestry, 19×45

Ramses Wissa Wassef, Egyptian potter, architect and freethinker was passionate about the need to create expression in the human experience. He saw an opportunity for the children of his adopted village Harrania, near the towering pyramids of Giza, to express their ideas through the ancient craft of weaving.

The Ramses Wissa Wassef Atelier was opened with the idea that innate artistic talent is educated out of us by conformist and abstract school systems. Therefore the studio was defined by three rules set for the willing young pupils, including no outside cultural influences, no copying or imitation or even preliminary sketches, and no criticism from adults. Soon a series of amazing freehand tapestries created on looms emerged from the imaginations of these children, prized examples of which have since been declared Egyptian National Treasures.

David Williams, entrepreneur and engineer, was captivated by these images on a visit to Egypt in 1963, and has become one of the world’s leading experts and collectors. Over the past forty years, he has built an impressive collection shown in prominent museums and art galleries across the United States, and has lectured frequently on the subject. David will share his deep knowledge and intense appreciation for these incredible textile works, educating us about this example of innate creativity and the unique art of innocence.

Joyce Ertel Hulbert, artist and textile conservator, will join David in discussing the tapestry medium as a vehicle for creative expression. As a visual artist, Joyce’s work is part of a lineage of artists working in the international fiber art movement and she has been an active participant in numerous textile centers and studios. Joyce has mastered skills in Gobelin tapestry technique, conservation sewing methods, and custom dyeing of protein fibers for over twenty-five years and has exhibited her work nationally and internationally since 1985.

This special event will be held on Wednesday, March 11th at 7pm. Please RSVP to Calabi Gallery by telephone (707) 781-7070 as seating is limited.

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