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After taking a degree in Painting at Special level at Bromley College of Art in 1959 I was awarded a Painting busury by the Royal Academy. I then took my teaching qualification at Goldsmith College of Art. I began teaching, a career which I followed for nearly 30 years at various colleges and universities. After teaching art students in degree, foundation, and adult-education courses, I moved into textiles and became Senior Lecturer in charge of Embroidery within the department of fashion and textiles at Liverpool Polytechnic (now John Moores University).
My connection with India, which has changed my life as well as my career, began in 1975, when, on sabbatical leave from Liverpool Polytechnic, I traveled there to study Indian textiles. I took my three young children with me--it was one of those decisions of which, looking back, one thinks, "How could I have done such a thing?" but, in fact, it worked out very well. They became good travellers at an early age, and shared my love of India--indeed, my younger son worked with me for several years taking tours to India. After my first visit I returned many times, going to different parts of the country and building up a collection of village embroideries.
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Lorna Tresidder |
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In 1990 I left education and set up Indian Romance, taking small groups to this extraordinary country where exotic beauty and centuries-old crafts and costumes are part of everyday life.
In 2001 the town of Bhuj, an important centre of the textile arts, where I spent mySabbatical Leave suffered a terrible earthquake which caused terrible loss of life, homes, and livelihoods. At the time, I was in fact nearby, with a group who had come to study the textiles of the area. On the initiative of the group and with support and help from them and the people who have traveled with me over the years we raised money for these very Artist Craftsmen and Craftswomen. The money was nearly all disbursed when many ladies from two villages applied for help. This was last year. They were then suffering from a famine (there being no monsoon) and were forced to work building roads. This is a government scheme resorted to in times of extreme hardship such as these.
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These ladies all embroider and wanted to use there craft skills. So although the money has now all been disbused I have started what i hope will be a self help scheme which is just getting going and is to produce embroidery work. Hopefully for them in time to earn a living. We shall see. I am giving my time free, and so I am now returned to actually embroidering and designing within their style for them - samples. It is a pleasure. I quote Einstein - "A hundred times a day I remind myself that my life depends on the labour of other men living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the measure as I have received and am still receiving".
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1830 Engraving British Raj - Hindoo Temple |
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By now I expect you see why I decided to call my tour company Indian Romance. India calls forth strong emotions from you--the surprise, perplexity, wonder, passion of a love affair. I hope that your visit to India may be the start of an affair that, like mine, can last all your life.
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Francis, a wonderful cook for our tours! |
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Barbara Miolini
Barbara will be working with me on the tour as tour leader. She is an Italian dress designer and has worked for some very prestigious firms. Among them is Evisu (a very famous Japanese label), Burberry, Stellanegro (Italian accessories label). She is now working for Giorgio Armani with whom she has a 4 year contract. Born in St .Moritz Switzerland, she is now dividing her time between Switzerland, Italy (Asolo, close to Venice "Palladio Villas area") and India.
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