News

7 Jul 2010

Refinery Artspace, NELSON.
28th July – 14th August.
Exhibition hours: Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm, Sat 10am – 2pm.
3 Halifax Street, Nelson.
Ph 03 548 1721

Illustrated in exquisite hand-knotted threads featuring traditional symbols and mythology of Tibetan refugee weavers, Tales from Tibet is your chance to view these unique artworks with their unique history.

Each piece featured in Tales from Tibet is the product of a skilled Tibetan refugee’s craftsmanship and represents the fair trading relationship between Trade Aid, the holder of the exhibition, and the producers in India and Nepal where the carpets are woven.

The Tibetan carpets are truly pieces of art which are only available at select times of the year in galleries across New Zealand. These unique pieces were the founding products of Trade Aid and have led Trade Aid into relationships with hundreds of producers across the developing world.

A job offer in India in 1969, to work with Tibetan refugees exiled by the Chinese occupation of Tibet in the 1950’s, led co-founders Vi and Richard Cottrell to import the carpets on their return to New Zealand. Their subsequent success in gallery exhibitions prompted the opening of the first Trade Aid shop and the importing of a variety of other handcrafts from developing countries. In 2006, these products are sold in Trade Aid’s thirty shops around New Zealand.

Tales from Tibet tells the tale of the snow capped mountains that led the refugees on their long journey, the mystical creatures of the Tibetan legends and the symbols that depict the culture they still live and breathe. The carpets that were carried over the mountains as the Tibetans left their homeland alert us to the value placed on these functional works of art and have allowed the weavers to retain the essence and tradition of the Tibetan culture in their work. The carpets provided an important function while travelling, acting as mats and bedding when needed, as a sack for carrying smaller items, and for throws and wall hangings in their temporary accommodations.

The carpets today have proven just as durable with the original carpets sold in the first exhibition in 1974 still providing colour and comfort in New Zealand homes.

Tales from Tibet is your chance to purchase an original hand woven carpet that guarantees itself exploitation free in an industry notorious for child labour and low wages.
“A medium sized carpet provides work for one weaver for a month, and an income sufficient to support the family” says Vi Cottrell, who knows firsthand the importance of each carpet sold. Vi will be present on opening night to talk of her experience with the Tibetan culture, product and experience as founder of Trade Aid.