Death and Textiles

Textiles are an intrinsic part of human life at every stage, from the first gasps of breath to the last. They are how we connect with those we’ve lost, explore our own mortality, signal our mourning status to the world, and conquer fears of the unknown veil between the world of the living and the dead — as we parse out exactly which world we belong to. In this trauma-informed art history class taught by Zoe and Kristen, we will explore the history of death and textiles, from mummification in ancient Egypt to burial shrouds in Islamic traditions, colonial control of mourning garments and European mourning fashion, to silkworms and silk in Asia as well as patchwork quilts buried with the dead in South Asia. We’ll also have snacks, tea, and journal questions for processing. Feel free to leave class early, take breaks, or come when you're ready. As an activity, participants will have fabric, wood, and recycled cardboard with which to design their own “memento mori” boxes. The term memento mori is Latin for “remember you must die” and it is a reminder of human frailty, the inevitable life cycle, and the importance of living in the moment. These boxes can be used for keeping memories of those you’ve lost or the most important moments of your life, as well as hopes you have for the future. There is no pressure to finish, as you can take the materials home and work on it there. About Your Instructor: Zoe is a teaching artist and curator engaging with Caribbean folklore stories.