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  • TEXTILE DESIGN

    As a textile design consultant, I bring over 15 years of weaving and textile

    knowledge to projects across the globe.

    MEKEKA DESIGNS

    Mekeka Designs is a textile studio and design consultancy focused on handmade textiles from Uganda.

    WOVEN DESIGN

    Through design consultation, ideation, and prototyping, I develop innovative weaving collections using a variety of materials and techniques.

    More images, On The Loom tab

    NATURAL DYES

    My interest in natural dyes includes product design and training workshops using locally sourced plant materials. I have recently taught in Armenia and Ghana.

    OFF LOOM + SURFACE

    My teaching and practice background includes:

    -Basketry - Crochet

    -Machine sewing - Embroidery

    -Screen printing - Felting

    and others.

     

     

  • PROJECTS | COMMUNITY

  • ON THE LOOM

    As an experimental weaver and handwoven loom specialist, I explore traditional and non-traditional materials for new product design collections.  As an interdisciplinary artist and community engagement specialist, I collaborate with weavers and community members to manipulate and build looms for functional, sculptural, and innovative applications.

  • STUDIO

    Concrete cloth, cotton, concrete
    Balance, detail
    Balance, digital print, 46" x 46"
    Re-position, concrete and graphite
    (Detail) Re-position, concrete and graphite
    Re-collection II. Aluminum, silver, handwoven cotton, natural dye (cinnamon) 74” x 27” x 5”
    (Detail) Re-Collection II. Aluminum, silver, handwoven cotton, natural dye (cinnamon) 74” x 27” x 5”
    (Detail) 14 layers of. Handwoven cotton, concrete, silver. Size 35.5" x 3.25" x 10.25"
    Untitled, indigo dyed cotton, concrete, fine silver leaf, oak
    (Detail) Untitled, indigo dyed cotton, concrete, fine silver leaf, oak
    Held in knots, Bronze, needles, indigo dyed cotton
    (Details) Held in knots, Bronze, needles, indigo dyed cotton
    (Detail) Re-Collection. Handwoven cotton, aluminum 49” x 23” x 1.5”
    Sheathed, concrete and silver leaf
    (Detail) Sheathed, concrete and silver leaf
    Undone, indigo dyed cotton, concrete, fine silver leaf
    (Detail) Undone, indigo dyed cotton, concrete, fine silver leaf
    "...weird robot movies." Embroidery and handwoven cloth. Cloth was woven at the Dallas Museum of Art in conjunction with community response project, “Woven Records” 47” x 53” x 5.5”
    Remnant Series, This series of 30 boxed works becomes the resting place for remains from my studio. Mixed media objects in aspen boxes, dimensions vary.
    (Detail) Remnant Series, This series of 30 boxed works becomes the resting place for remains from my studio. Mixed media objects in aspen boxes, dimensions vary.
    59 Pieces. A handwoven fragment was slowly cut apart to create this work. Its disappearance is documented in the work. Concrete, handwoven cotton, dimensions vary.
    59 Pieces. A handwoven fragment was slowly cut apart to create this work. Its disappearance is documented in the work. Concrete, handwoven cotton, dimensions vary.
    Untitled, concrete and silver leaf

  • EDUCATION and OUTREACH

    I regularly work with institutions and organizations through workshops, lectures, and training programs. Visit my LinkedIn page (link below) for more details on my projects over the years.

    Design Training, My Armenia Project

    DESIGN AND TEXTILE TRAININGS

    I develop/advise training programs, country/technique specific design curriculum, and work collaboratively with artisans on product development.

    Interactive Loom Workshop, Nasher Sculpture Center

    INTERACTIONS|WORKSHOPS

    I specialize in community outreach through the development of workshops and interactive arts and education based initiatives.

    Gallery Talk, Wearable Raffia, Dallas Museum of Art

    PUBLIC LECTURES

    I bring design, global textile traditions, and contemporary approaches to creating into public lectures and presentations.

  • BARKCLOTH PROJECTS

    Since 2005 I have been engaged with the cultural arts of Uganda - especially barkcloth! Click the link below for more about this work!

  • ABOUT

    I am an interdisciplinary textile artist and project developer who partners with local and international organizations to develop impactful engagement through interactive programs. I have developed numerous educationally-based trainings and outreach events with the goal of encouraging others to find new perspectives and value on a range of cultural and social topics. These have taken place with countries as diverse at Ghana, Kuwait, Scotland, Uganda, Armenia, and Kazakhstan.

     

    My national and international project based work includes the development of community engagement events, curatorial projects, professional trainings, product design, exhibition design, and hands-on workshops. As a former Principal Lecturer of Fibers at the University of North Texas, I worked over a decade developing curricula and teaching textile based courses while leading innovative initiatives including the development of the UNT Natural Dye Garden and partnerships

    with local museums and arts organizations.

     

    I have shown my artwork nationally and internationally in addition to lecturing at numerous international events and conferences including the Qurain Cultural Festival in Kuwait, European League of the Institute of the Arts, Textile Society of America Symposia, and Creative Dundee.

    You can email me directly at leslihrobertson@gmail.com

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