Global Threads: The Art and Fashion of Indian Chintz

Over several centuries, Indian artisans perfected complex methods for producing dyes and mordants to create painted and printed cloth in a spectrum of fade-resistant colors. Starting in the 17th century, these often brilliant and intricately designed textiles became known as chintz, and consumers worldwide were captivated by the lavish fabric.

Global Threads: The Art and Fashion of Indian Chintz reveals how this innovative and often beautiful textile revolutionized fashion, industry, and global trade. In addition to displaying a wide range of chintz textiles made in India for various international markets, the exhibition includes a selection of European and American dress and furnishing textiles inspired by these fabrics. It also highlights contemporary Indian chintz artists who continue to advance this art form but with a deep concern for environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.

Largely drawn from the collection of Indian chintz at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, the exhibition also features works from private collections and complementary objects from the Saint Louis Art Museum collection.

Global Threads: The Art and Fashion of Indian Chintz is curated by Sarah Fee, senior curator of global fashion and textiles at the Royal Ontario Museum. The presentation in St. Louis is co curated by Philip Hu, curator of Asian art at the Saint Louis Art Museum, and Genevieve Cortinovis, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Assistant Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the Saint Louis Art Museum.