Organizer: Yale University Art Gallery
Type/Location: In Person / New Haven, CT
On display in the Exhibition: Shroud (Palu), Maker: Unknown
Description:
Nusantara: Six Centuries of Indonesian Textiles presents one of Southeast Asia’s most significant artistic accomplishments: woven textiles. Exploring the ancient interisland links found in this culturally diverse maritime region, the exhibition features a wide array of textiles from the 14th to the 20th century drawn from the Yale University Art Gallery’s exceptional holdings—from the batiks of Java to the ikat of Sumba, and from ceremonial cloths and ritual weavings to clothing, shrouds, and architectural hangings. Especially remarkable are several early textiles that are intricately patterned with tie-dyed designs, while select three-dimensional objects, such as sculptures, headgear, and combs, are also included to provide context. Nusantara—from the original name for the Indonesian archipelago—offers a broad overview of the rich imagery and technical mastery of this remarkable art form.
Read an interview with the curators in the fall 2025 magazine (PDF).
Digital Catalogue:
Indonesian Textiles at the Yale University Art Gallery by Ruth Barnes and Arielle Winnik
Launching in September 2025, Indonesian Textiles at the Yale University Art Gallery is a free, born-digital publication that catalogues the museum’s remarkable collection of approximately 1,200 textiles from maritime Southeast Asia—from the batik textiles of Java to the ikat of Sumba, from ceremonial cloths and ritual weavings to clothing, shrouds, and architectural hangings. Released concurrent with the related exhibition Nusantara: Six Centuries of Indonesian Textiles, the catalogue begins with an introduction that discusses the geography and cultures of Indonesia as well as the history of weaving, materials and techniques, and the cultural meanings of textiles. Catalogue entries are organized by geographic area, with each region introduced by a brief overview. Entries provide full cataloguing data, new photography, and short descriptions of the objects. An appendix of scientific research findings rounds out this important study, which foregrounds exciting new evidence of interisland connections discovered by the authors during their analysis of these complex and culturally significant works.
Registration:
The gallery is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.