Prized worldwide for producing vivid patterns and colors, the ancient resist-dyeing technique of ikat developed independently in communities across Asia, Africa and the Americas. This exhibition explores the global phenomenon of ikat textiles through examples from countries as diverse as Chile, Indonesia and Uzbekistan.

Irresistible: The Global Patterns of Ikat celebrates the artistic and cultural legacy of ikat, a sophisticated resist-dyeing technique used across the globe to pattern textiles. Ikat designs come to life before the threads are woven into fabric through a meticulous practice of selectively binding and dyeing threads before weaving. The materials, skill and time required to create ikat fabrics have made them potent symbols of wealth and high status in many cultures. Irresistible takes visitors on a world tour of ikat that spans centuries and cultures.