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Open · Until 28 Mar 2027

Cloth of the Earth

Indigo, Cape Verde, and West African Knowledge

Pano d’Obra Bicho (Woman’s Shawl), early to mid 1900s. Mary Ann Lippitt Acquisition Fund. RISD Museum, Providence, RI.

Pano d’Obra Bicho (Woman’s Shawl), early to mid 1900s. Mary Ann Lippitt Acquisition Fund. RISD Museum, Providence, RI. · License

Cloth of the Earth is on view at RISD Museum, Providence, United States, until March 28, 2027.

Last verified October 28, 2026 · Official source ↗

This exhibition explores the cultural, spiritual, and technical significance of indigo dye across generations. On display at the RISD Museum are historic textiles and garments alongside modern West African indigo-dyed pieces on loan from Cape Verde native Maria Tavares. Centered around handwoven Cape Verdean cloth, the display highlights shared traditions of craftsmanship, memory, and endurance.

Venue

  1. RISD Museum
    Providence, United States · August 1, 2026 – March 28, 2027
    Until 28 Mar 2027

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Images

Detail from a piece of blue and white woven cloth, the left is plaid with dark blue vertical lines, and the right side has intricate diamond patterns.

Pano d’Obra Bicho (Woman’s Shawl), early to mid 1900s. Mary Ann Lippitt Acquisition Fund. RISD Museum, Providence, RI.

Pano d’Obra Bicho (Woman’s Shawl), early to mid 1900s. Mary Ann Lippitt Acquisition Fund. RISD Museum, Providence, RI. · License · Source ↗