Expressions of Faith

The textile arts have long been used in religious observance throughout the world. Embroidered, woven, painted, and printed fabrics have served and still serve as vestments, decorations, offerings, and devotional or talismanic objects in many faiths. This exhibition from the permanent collection of the Department of Costume and Textiles includes such cloths and clothing from across Asia: Indonesia, Burma, Thailand, China, Japan, and Turkey. Buddhism, Christianity, Daoism, Hinduism, and Islam are represented, as well as belief systems rooted in the natural environments of indigenous cultures. Although forms and symbolism differ among the religions represented by these objects, there is also common ground. The visual spectacle of ritual is enhanced for the worshipper through the use of luxurious textiles for vestments and decorative hangings, particularly those made of lustrous silk and metallic threads. Elaborate vestments focus attention on the celebrant, helping to create an aura of power and authority. Also, individuals may make, wear, or use textiles with sacred imagery or religious purpose, thereby proclaiming their beliefs or identities. In many cases, specific colors or patterns are reserved for a particular ritual or season.

Whether commissioned from a professional workshop or created by an individual for personal reasons, the careful crafting of these textiles speaks to their function as an expression of faith. They are all extraordinary examples of textile art.