If you’re in Boston, it’s well worth a trip to the Museum of Fine Arts to see the extraordinary African dress and textiles at “Global Patterns”. This exhibition is expertly curated, highlighting the lively exchange of ideas between Africa and the rest of the world, focusing on continuities and innovations in weaving, dying, bead embroidery and tailoring. African patterns come loaded with meaning and it’s fascinating to learn the significance of certain patterns, whether they be coded warnings against deceptive behaviour or communicating history and aspirations.
Global Patterns: Dress and Textiles in Africa is on at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, until January 8 2012, mfa.org
