TEXTILES TOUR with JEN KINGWELL
23 September – 7 October 2023…sold out
Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Sahara, Fes, Chefchaouen, Rabat
Travel with textile artist Jen Kingwell and explore the traditional Amazigh (Berber) crafts of Morocco at a grassroots level where women’s cooperative ventures present a range of textile creations melding age-old skills with new innovations.
In Marrakech we visit the exquisite new Yves Saint Laurent Museum featuring his fashion design as well as the Berber Museum that houses the Moroccan textiles and jewellery that inspired his work.
We then venture into the High Atlas Mountains and follow the ancient trade routes across the Tizi’n’Tichka Pass from Marrakech to the Sahara. Weavers of carpets and cloth, embroiderers and basket weavers are found in remote locations where they still employ their skills and maintain their traditional life style.
Next we make our way north to Fes and the blue city of Chefchaouen for a feast of colour and Islamic culture, finishing in the capital city of Rabat.
The tour includes hands-on experiences and demonstrations with local artisans. On the road in the mountains and Sahara we learn some exquisite embroidery techniques, tie knots to make rugs, explore some eco-dyeing using Rose Madder and Pomegranate.
Guest artist Jen Kingwell will share her skills and experience to allow participants to develop their ideas for textile design, drawing inspiration from the sublime landscape and rich cultural environment provided by the art and architecture of Morocco.
My small world, Jen Kingwell
Memories of Morocco
workshop with Jen Kingwell
Using an image captured while exploring the colourful landscape and rich textures of Morocco, Jen will guide participants to develop a pictorial memory to look back on and treasure. Employing traditional techniques of hand piercing, needle turn applique, embroidery embellishment and inspiration drawn from local artisans, participants will create a panel to be developed further into a project of their choice. Some materials will be supplied and a further list of requirements and suggestions will be provided.
ABOUT JEN KINGWELL
A Midwife by trade who turned her stitching addiction into a career, after decades of exploring all areas of the craft world, Jen bought her first patchwork store in 1999.
Surrounding herself daily with walls of fabric encouraged her to explore colour combinations and push the boundaries when discovering her signature style: which she describes as “traditional blocks with a modern twist” and where her use of colour makes her quilts instantly recognisable.
A scrap quilter, the more fabrics she can include in any one project the happier she is. Hand stitching is her favourite hobby, and teaching all the tips and tricks she knows brings her great joy.
Author, fabric and quilt designer, Jen now travels the world teaching and lecturing, but always loves returning to her family and store in Torquay Australia, one of Australia’s most picturesque locations.
More about the tour
The tour is not an intensive workshop as there is too much to see and experience in Morocco, but time will be devoted to sharing ideas, discussing colour, pattern, materials and trialling techniques for future development.
Accommodation is provided in the most comfortable traditional guesthouses, where we enjoy the extraordinary delights of Amazigh food and hospitality. You will discover the highlights of Morocco and the indigenous Amazigh culture that evolves and continues largely through the extraordinary textiles traditions. We also enjoy music and a complete range of traditional cultural experiences and crafts.
Traveling with a small group of like-minded people and an experienced team of co-hosts the program offers an innovative and creative way to explore a new place that is stimulating, supportive and safe.