Block Printing: An Ancient But Modern Art Form

by

Joan Rasch

Block Printing arose in the middle of the third millennium B.C. in the north western part of India, which is now called Rajasthan and Gujarat. Villagers harvested hardwood such as teak, which was then carved by skilled artisans, soaked in olive oil and dried in the Indian sun. This process is still going on essentially unchanged approximately four and a half thousand years later. Indian block printing is exceptional since the process remains largely unchanged there. In other places block printing has mostly evolved into ultra modern, computer-controlled printing processes. However, craft movements have brought on revivals of this ancient art form in certain places.

In the mid Victorian era, craft-oriented artists began to adopt the technique of block printing. William Morris is probably the most well known of these artists. Indeed, it is a worthwhile and fascinating study to compare ancient Indian block printing with the work of such craft artists. There is, in fact, something of a revival in block printing taking place in small villages in India that produce fair trade scarves, clothing and other textile art such as tablecloths and bed spreads. The fact that the market for wholesale scarves has allowed this reemergence of block printing is largely owed to the fact that fair trade scarves and other textiles now appear in many stores in developed countries. Customers are becoming better educated about the importance of fair trade. As a result entire villages and traditional art forms are currently thriving where the effects of this movement are felt.

This example of fair trade scarves is resonant for a couple of reasons. First of all, when block printing meets traditional weaving techniques there is a wonderful marriage of traditional art forms. This allows a continuation of a highly evolved and potentially highly sustainable model. If we can somehow replace uncaring consumerism with thoughtful, compassionate decision making by consumers we are truly on to something. Eventually block printing can become a respected textile art form that laughs in the face of mass marketed, mass-produced textile products. Consumers can now understand a great deal about the origins of their purchased textile items; and this, in turn, creates a more sustainable, more inspired climate for block printing and other textile arts. Most importantly, sustainability is encouraged and supported in places that need it desperately.

The integration of traditional weaving and traditional block printing has allowed the preservation and reinvigoration of traditional art forms. Fair trade scarves are excellent examples, and are well worth your attention. If you are a retailer, check out your fair trade options in wholesale scarves. Look for traditional block printing and traditional handmade weaving practices and you will have many more options than you might have expected.

Joan Rasch enjoys writing articles for businesses who are interested in

fair trade scarves

clothing, jewelry, cards, and

wholesale scarves

in particular. Fair Trade products are a result of an organized social movement and market based approach that strives to assist people in developing countries improve trading conditions and promote sustainability.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com