Pelete Bite Wrapper 1980s

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fibre-art, textile

fibre-art

textile

geometric pattern

geometric

Dimensions: 71 x 35 1/8 in. (180.34 x 89.22 cm)

This ‘Pelete Bite Wrapper’ was made by Kalabari people, its date is unknown, and it's made with cotton. The red is so vibrant, it really pops. It's like the whole thing is buzzing with energy. You can see the marks of the maker, the way the lines wobble and shift slightly. That's what gives it that handmade, human feel. Up close, you can really see the texture of the fabric and the way the dye has soaked in. It's not perfect, it’s got character, and that's what I love about it. Look at the top pattern of triangles for example, the way they are arranged gives the piece a sense of movement, rhythm and the slight imperfections in the lines make it personal. This piece reminds me of the work of Gee’s Bend quilters. They create these incredible, abstract designs out of scraps of fabric, and they have that same kind of improvisational, intuitive energy. Art isn't just about technique or skill, it's about feeling and connection. And this wrapper is full of it.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart over 1 year ago

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Kalabari men and women of Nigeria occasionally wear a unique cloth called pelete bite, which is created by altering fabrics imported from India. Starting with existing striped or checked patterns, new designs are made by cutting parts of the white threads with a razor and removing them. A few cut threads are still visible on this example. The technique also produces little holes, adding to the visual effect. The newly created motifs have descriptive names; here, for example, abili (checker board) and etere (mat). The women who create pelete bite are important figures in Kalabari society: artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Their art transforms imported cloth into a cultural symbol.