January 2022
Not All Art is a Painted Canvas:
Our Framed Ugandan Barkcloth
We think a lot about what we put on the walls at Dixon Rye. The intention is always to have art that works together through the harmony of varied hues, textures, and mediums while carefully considering the inspiration and artisanship in each work. While it’s easy to limit selections to paint, ink, and photography, we try to think beyond that to create a truly thoughtful collection that explores all aspects of art and what it can accomplish in a space. One of our favorite pieces to introduce to the discussion is our Ugandan barkcloth. It’s such a versatile piece for many reasons and adds warmth to the home with its organic origins and feel. Below we explore some of the great attributes of our signature frame barkcloth pieces.
1.
Add texture and dimension
So many of the wonderful art mediums we are captivated by are essentially flat texturally. Whether that be prints, photography, or many style of paintings, they lay flat upon the page. While this in itself is hardly a detraction, when adding pieces together in a space or home, we try to introduce some variation to create the intimate feeling of a true collection. Our framed barkcloth accomplishes this through the natural distinction found on the bark of mutuba trees of Uganda. The harvesting techniques, a labor intensive prehistoric process that predates weaving, ensure great textural variation within each piece. When floated above a flat linen mat and intentionally framed, the result is a piece of artwork that adds true dimension to a space.
2.
Break up pattern and lines with a solid
We appreciate such a vast array of artistic styles - from intricate sketches to layered landscapes to geometric abstracts - that it can be overwhelming to figure out the best way to curate them together. The framed barkcloth is a great way to break up a collection of varied styles or add a singular moment of visual solace in a room. Having a large scale solid - though far from flat - element, allows your more intricate pieces to shine without being overwhelming, whether that be other art, wallpaper, or patterned textiles. It injects the space with a cool, organic, modernism that can really contribute to the raw, refined and collected aesthetic we strive for.
3.
Add the uniqueness of an organic element
The unexpectedness of our framed barkcloth is one of our favorite qualities it invokes. It’s becoming more trendy to have framed textiles, which can result in the beautiful display of man-made fabrics. However, the addition of the truly natural and raw elements of the barkcloth intensify its stand-out qualities. The artisanship of which it is harvested is truly remarkable. The producers first renewably scrape away the outer bark of Ugandan fig trees (mutuba) in a labor intensive process. The material is then boiled in vast pans of water and pounded with wooden mallets for hours - the result is the surprisingly soft, supple, and thin fabric we treasure. It’s then dried in the sun for days, imperfectly darkening its hue to a ruddy brown. The process results in the hand touched and nature driven uniqueness that simply can’t be replicated by man alone. It’s raw, torn edges only emphasize these qualities. With all the manipulated and processed materials we use to create our homes, adding a raw and organic element brings us back in touch with nature and provides a beautiful, inevitable talking point.