Power Cloths of the Commonwealth

BACKGROUND The project required global networking enabling access to important art objects from world leading institutions including Haus der Voelker, Crafts Museum, Nehru Museum, Janet Holmes a Court Collection, Museum Victoria and private collections in India, Scotland, London and Australia.There was considerable diplomatic support and funding received from Australia International Cultural Council, Australia-India Council and Arts Vic. CONTRIBUTION The research was undertaken in the context of the cultural program of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, 2010, and was designed to produce a major multinational exhibition by RMIT Gallery for the Commonwealth Games Melbourne in 2006. Following direct negotiation by RMIT Gallery, the Delhi Chief Minister acknowledged the important presence of the handover city in the cultural program given the centrality of textile culture. The installation of objects and curatorial design reflected our sustained research into the material history of the traditional spiritual values ascribed to the meaning of textiles in the context of imperial history. The exceptionally rich diversity of textiles and garments from 19 nations exemplified traditional technical mastery, and encouraged critical dialogue amongst a large multicultural audience. SIGNIFICANCE The RMIT exhibition was the sole non-Indian contribution to receive international diplomatic and media recognition. A substantial program of diplomatic engagement, academic symposia, public events and publications was delivered. The illustrated catalogue (editor Suzanne Davies) presented our research findings on the cultural meaning of textiles in the formation of national identity including Australian indigenous fibre and Yoruba textiles. The exhibition received significant critical acclaim.