This presentation provides the historical and cultural significance of Hmong reverse appliqué. Historically the White and Striped Hmong sub-groups of Laos adorned clothing with reverse appliqué. Importantly this provided a form of linguistic symbolism along with visual recognition of subgroup and personal identity. Following the “Secret War in Laos” in the 1960s and early 1970s, the Hmong sought safety in Thai Refugee Camps. It was there that they transformed this unique style of needlework into a new variety of cultural textile art. As Hmong refugees resettled abroad, most notably in the United States, needlework skills declined and reverse appliqué became a dying art.
This event is sponsored by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies and the Hmong Studies Consortium. It is free and open to the public.
