Tartan: Its Journey Through The African Diaspora

CIAD Tartan Exhibiton

Costume Institute of African Diaspora (CIAD) first major exhibition

Tartan: Its Journey Through the African Diaspora, CIAD’s first major exhibition will uncover the colourful historic voyage of tartan cloth and trace its travels from Scotland through the African Diaspora by way of India.

This vibrantly informative exhibition looks at the social and cultural influence, and significance this distinct pattern has played on traditional wear, culture and on custom in the Caribbean, the US, and East and South Africa – from the 1740s to present day.

Tartan: Its Journey Through the African Diaspora features garments loaned by Vivienne Westwood and the Black Watch Museum. It also showcases the design of the winning entry of CIAD’s recent British Multiculturalism design com- petition.

The exhibition has been made possible thanks to an award of £37,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund Heritage Programme.

Tartan: Its Journey Through the African Diaspora is also supported by the V&A, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and Craft Central.

Explorative and full of life this unique exhibition will additionally capture a sense of community and learning via a series of related public workshops, run in partnership with the V&A on Wednesday 23 July and with the Black Cultural Archives on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August 2014.

Tartan: Its Journey Through the African Diaspora – is a free event and will be held at:
Craft Central 33-35 St John’s Square, Clerkenwell, London EC1M 4DS


For more information about CIAD’s Tartan Exhibition please visit: www.exhibition.ciad.org.uk

‘Tartan: Its Journey Through the African Diaspora’ 05 – 30 August 2014
Exhibition to be held on 05 – 30 August 2014 at Craft Central / 10.00 – 18.00 daily

Exhibition wrap party to be held on 12 September 2014 at the V&A / 18.30 – 21.30
V&A Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2RL (12 September)