Silk painting is a traditional art form in which pigmented dyes are applied to silk fabric. The strength and beatuy of silk creates a strong substrate for paints and dyes that has a lovely texture and yields rich and luminous colors. Silk is also translucent, so it has a beautiful effect when backlit.
History
Silk painting is one of the most ancient art forms discovered in Asia and dating back to the 2nd century CE. Before the invention of paper, silk was used first in India and later in China to create handscrolls for sacred texts. Calligraphy later developed into illustrations as more advanced techniques were developed to create intricate paintings and elaborate textiles and garments such as kimonos. Between the 7th and 12th century silk painting spread from Eastern Asia to the Persian empire and western Europe. It had a resurgence in the 19th century in France where the discovery of gutta resist allowed artists to create intricate linework.
Process
In order to create these images I mix my own dyes using traditional pigments and apply them using a variety of techniques that I have developed and experimented with over time. Each piece is a multi-stage process to create. First the fabric is stretched on a frame and prepared for painting. In some pieces I use a resist (called gutta) to create lines or boundaries for the dyes. For other pieces I use direct freehand application of colors, which is more spontaneous and unpredictable. After the piece has dried I steam it for several hours to fix the dyes, then wash it and remove the resists. Finally it is pressed and stretched on a frame to display.
Why silk painting?
Silk painting is a unique medium that I love because of the unparalleled colors it yields. I am obsessed with the sensuous texture of silk and the luminous quality of the colors as they interact with the light.
Painting on silk is a complex process – part art, part chemistry. It is an unforgiving medium (no erasing!) and often yields unpredictable results as colors move and shift during the process. This is part of what I find so intriguing, as it requires me to immerse myself fully in the moment and let go of my illusion of control, embracing the image that emerges as planned… or not!
How do I care for my silk painting?
Silk painting is unique because the pigments are permanently fused into the fibers of the fabric, rather than sitting on top of the substrate like other painting mediums. The dyes are steam-set to make them permanent. Silk is a natural protein fiber with unrivaled strength, and will not be eaten by moths. Like any art medium care should be taken to protect your art piece from dirt, moisture and direct sunlight in order to preserve the colors. However, if it becomes dirty, the silk can be removed from the stretcher bars and you can have it professionally cleaned and steamed to restore its color and lustre.