THE LANGUAGE OF LACE: Armenian Lace Doilies at the Fowler Museum, Los Angeles, CA

Armenian lace doily made by Marie Pilibossian. At the Fowler Museum, UCLA.

Until my recent visit to the Fowler Museum at UCLA in Los Angeles, California, to see Janyak: Armenian Art of Knots and Loops, I never appreciated the artistry of lacemaking and its cultural significance. A fascinating exhibit in a small inner gallery displays a variety of beautiful lace doilies made by Marie Pilibossian (1898-1986) an Armenian genocide survivor who emigrated to America, with explanations of the various designs and what they represent.

Fine thread tied in knots and loops is used to make the doilies.

The craft of lacemaking is called Janyak in Armenian, and each region has its own embroidery styles.

Symbolic meanings of various motifs.

 “Among the shapes identified by scholars is a triangle that alludes to Mount Ararat, symbolizing the Armenian homeland. Other elements represent eternity, the tree of life, Zangezur (a region in Armenia), and Armenian folk dancers. In this way, janyak carried within its knots and loops an understanding and affirmation of familial and cultural roots—a shared and treasured history.”

Designs and techniques are passed down from mother to daughter.

If you go to the Fowler museum to see the permanent exhibits or one of the other special exhibits (see my earlier post about the amazing beaded art of Haitian artist Myrlande Constant) be sure to stop in to see Janyak: Armenian Art of Knots and Loops. The exhibit will be up until February 2023. You will be amazed at the intricacies of the designs.

The center swirl design is symbol of eternity.

For information about the exhibit:

https://fowler.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Fowler_PR_Janyak-Armenian-Needle-Lace.pdf

Fowler Museum of Cultural History, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.