Ikat is an Indonesian word which, depending on the context, can be a noun (string, thread, knot), a verb (to tie, to wrap) and a finished fabric. At the same time, ikat is also a textile dyeing technique used to create a particular style of textile pattern. Before weaving, individual threads or bundles of yarn are tightly knotted to prevent parts of the yarn from being dyed in the desired pattern. After dyeing, the bindings are removed and the threads are woven into the fabric. In this way, only the warp threads or only the weft threads can be dyed according to the pattern, or both. As the pattern of the textile surface is created in the yarn, both sides of the fabric are patterned in ikat. Ikat is characterised by the apparent blurriness of the textile pattern, which only comes into its own from a certain distance in the finished fabric.
The students recreated the ikat technique in its original form. After removing the wrappings, the warp threads were woven, embroidered or left as they were after dyeing. Working in groups, they created ten ikat pictures that stand like sculptures in the room and can be viewed from all sides.
Exhibition at BIEN 2025
Selected works from the project Ikat (2024) are exhibited as part of the BIEN 2025, textile art biennial and can be seen at various locations until August 14, 2025.
The authors
Third-year undergraduate students of Textile and Fashion Design:
Eva Strnad, Tara Urbanč, Julija Muhič, Urban Dereani, Taša Blatnik, Ida Križnič, Larisa Gregor, Ema Cestnik, Filip Minoski, Eli Arapova, Sara Petruševska, Ivona Ivanovska, Kora Meštrović, Laura Guštin, Zarja Pertoci, Zala Šoškič, Brina Cotič, Taja Sejdić, Zala Marolt, Julia Arnšek, Neža Kavčič, Valentina Sinkovič, Lia Likar, Akir Latić, Alja Rojko, Tina Mohorčič, Julija Potočnik
Mentorship and Support
Mentors: prof. Marija Jenko, doc. mag. Arijana Gadžijev
Technical assistant: Marjeta Čuk
Photography: Jaka Ceglar
