Art and Design students at Shrewsbury Colleges Group had the privilege of listening to a renowned Chinese Imperial Costumes and Textiles lecturer as part of their syllabus.
David Rosier, an accredited National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) lecturer, travelled from Scotland and gave up his free time to give Shrewsbury Colleges Group students a one-off learning experience. He worked in Asia for 25 years, during which time he took an interest in clothing of the Chinese court and created a collection of over 700 pieces.
The Wakeman Hall at the English Bridge Campus, was filled with textile artefacts and the lecture, ‘A Journey Through and Beyond the Imperial Wardrobe (Qing Dynasty 1644-1911)’, went through the extensive wardrobes that were owned by nobility and officials. The day was split into three lectures that would provide a detailed insight into the nature, purpose and symbolism of Chinese Imperial Court costume, with Mr Rosier focussing part of it on the Ladies of the Court - their robes, jewellery and notorious shoes that needed bound feet.
Seventy-five students from Art & Design and Fashion & Textiles attended the day that linked closely with their textile assignment.
David Rosier said: “I very much welcome any opportunity to provide an insight into the Chinese Imperial Court and the complex, and generally unknown system, of regulated court costume. This is particularly true with regard to students of textile art and design who are potentially seeking to bring a contemporary interpretation to these ancient symbols of Chinese culture.”
“I was pleased and gratified by the attention and interest the students maintained throughout the day and was very appreciative of the respect and care that everyone displayed towards the displayed items.”
Yvonne Bridgeland, Chairman of the Arts Society Shrewsbury, who helped to organise the event, said: “I was very impressed by the student’s quiet attention to Mr Rosier’s lectures, and I’m sure they gained inspiration for their new projects. I wish them luck with their future studies.
“The Arts Society Shrewsbury Young Arts team is very pleased to have this link with Shrewsbury Colleges Group and we look forward to working together in the future.”
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