Tapestry expression inspired by selected bird species in Uganda

Abstract

The study investigated the ways in which tapestry expression can be inspired by three selected bird species in Uganda. The researcher focussed on three species, namely: the egret (Bulucus ibis), the crested crane (Balearica regulorum) and the peacock (Afropavo congensis. These species were selected because of their aesthetic value and the political and social aspects that they have in Uganda. The researcher was concerned that in spite of their aesthetic and socio-political relevance to the community their habitats have been endangered by man. The study was guided by three research objectives, namely: (i) to purposively select three birds – the grey crowned crane, and peacock as resources for weaving; (ii) to demonstrate that the three selected birds can inspire innovative studio tapestry as art; and (iii) to analyse ways in which such art can be harnessed in the fight for the protection of the environment. Tapestries were derived from the selected bird species using studio tools and materials as applied in structural textile design. The findings from the interviews, the document review and observation of the outcome of the studio experiments inspired by the three selected bird species in Uganda which have led to a lot of innovative tapestry works show clearly that the three selected bird species offered a lot of prospects for artistic expression using the medium of tapestry. The study recommends that for any researcher to reproduce the same tapestries, a systematic approach should be followed. The researcher must find a theme, make sketches, and choose the appropriate materials and suitable weaving techniques to use in order to reproduce similar tapestries. The researcher must also use non-traditional materials like iron bars as warps, coffee mesh, and the production of different formats of tapestries rather than the traditional formats of portraits and landscape formats. As such, the researcher has demonstrated, and argues, that contemporary art, as tapestry, is as much an innovative research project in weaving, a medium and tool for environmental protection, as it is about art