The Transmission of faith from Tai Lue textiles to contemporary arts

Abstract

The thesis Doctor of Fine Arts Program in Arts and Design titled ‘The Transmission of Faith from Tai Lue Textiles to Contemporary Art’ aims to explore cultural context of Tai Lue weaving textile by focusing on historical context, original patterns, as well as traditional belief and the way these weaving textiles have been involved in everyday life of Tai Lue people in upper northern region of Thailand, and to create a contemporary art that represents steadfast belief and faith in Buddhism of Tai Lue women. The research was firstly started by synthesizing the knowledge regarding Tai Lue culture to find an inspiration. It is in the field of creative art research, which was consecutively conducted by the study of literatures, concepts, theories, research and artworks that are related to the utilization of weaving textiles in everyday life of Tai Lue people in upper northern region of Thailand, especially historical background, techniques, motifs, patterns, and beliefs. Moreover, the research areas are Chiang Mai, Nan, and Phayao, then the contemporary installation art depicting the faith in Buddhism among Tai Lue women was designed based on the synthesized data from those aforementioned materials. The results of this research are as follows: 1) The weaving culture has played a vital role in Tai Lue society since the past. The linkage between the textiles, motifs, and weavers is always in line with their livelihood, traditions, rituals, and Buddhism beliefs. The textile itself significantly contains a lot of symbolic expressions, particularly meaningful motifs, the use of colors, and aesthetic elements that are tangible beauty and intangible beauty in terms of values, beliefs, and Buddhism, conveying the meaning in the dimension of faith in Buddhism of Tai Lue women. 2) The researcher has created contemporary art from patterns or symbols on Tung to reflect the belief in Buddhism of Tai Lue women that once in their life, Tai Lue women had to weave Tung for religious temples as an offering with installation art techniques. The arrangement makes the audience feel like walking in to experience and learn the patterns in Tung in three dimensions that are hidden with cultural stories from the creation of this art, resulting in learning and further knowledge of arts and culture for the new generation society and those who are interested.