An exhibition and forum of traditional Malaysian textiles, exploring the creative expression of the Iban weaver. The exhibition component was curated by Edric Ong, President of the Society Atelier Sarawak, a voluntary organisation devoted to promoting the cultural heritage of Sarawak and Malaysia.

On display were over fifty pieces of Iban textiles gathered from the Sarawak Museum, private collections, and the Iban weavers. The exhibition provided an historical overview of Iban woven art, exploring the relation of the woven image to cultural and religious beliefs.

Iban women have for generations been the keepers of material culture, most importantly through the woven art of pua kumbu - a warp Ikat natural dyed cotton textile. The creation of such textiles is associated with dreams. Traditionally, designs and patterns were given to the weaver through divine inspiration by the weaving goddess Kumang while the weaver was asleep. To the traditional Iban, such pua kumbu textiles are imbued with a spiritual power and are associated with traditional rituals and religious ceremonies.

Nancy ak Ngali and Bangie ak Embol, traditional Iban weavers, provided demonstrations of the Ikat weaving process in the gallery during the exhibition.

To compliment the exhibition, Craftsouth developed a forum which explored the cultural links and differences between Indigenous weaving in Malaysia and Australia; concepts of works which go "beyond the object"; contemporary Australian and New Zealand textiles artists utilising Ikat weaving techniques; and the use of natural products, fibres and dyes in creating works.

The forum featured local, national and international artists:

Diana Wood Conroy (New South Wales)
Bangie ak Embol (Sarawak, Malaysia)
India Flint (South Australia)
Kay Lawrence (South Australia)
Sarah Lindsay (Victoria)
Nancy ak Ngali (Sarawak, Malaysia)
Edric Ong (Sarawak, Malaysia)
Helen Stacey (South Australia)
Kelly Thompson (New Zealand)
Ellen & Tracy Trevorrow (Coorong, South Australia)

Woven Dreams from the Rainforest was a joint initiative of Craftsouth, the Society Atelier Sarawak, and the Flinders University Art Museum.

The exhibition and forum were sponsored by IPOH Pty Ltd, Leigh Street Management, and the Australian High Commission.

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