Fibre2Fabric Mission
To produce a series of free exhibitions that focus on hand crafted textiles as a way to explore and explain Lao culture. Our mission is to document and demonstrate the production and cultural significance of textiles from various regions and ethnicities in Lao PDR. The exhibitions are in Lao and English text; therefore making the information accessible to local and foreign visitors. Our ultimate mission is to advocate the preservation and production methods of textiles of all peoples in Lao for the heritage of all Lao peoples.
About F2F
Fibre2Fabric is non-for-profit entity. It is supported by grants and donations. F2F was founded by Joanna Smith and Veomanee Duangdala (also the co-founders of Ock Pop Tok). The initial set up costs were financed by Ock Pop Tok and shortly after the support of The Jim Thompson Foundation was cemented by the donationof a research grant.
Fibre2Fabric is a partnered with Give2Asia a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation founded by the Asia Foundation to promote charitable giving to Asia. For more information follow this link:
The Team
Veomanee Duangdala - weaver, curator
Veomanee Duangdala is the daughter of a famous weaver in Laos. Veo learnt her weaving skills like many other Lao women at a young age. She started at 8 years to prepare spools for her mother's weaving and moved onto plain weaves whilst gradually learning more complicated skills and patterns.
During her early twenties Veo started working in the hospitality industry, it was here she learnt her English skills. In October 2000 she co-founded OckPopTok. Business related activities have given Veo the opportunity to travel to Australia, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam.
- September 2002
Exhibition at Headmasters Gallery, Sydney. Guest speaker to Sydney Textile Society. - March 2004
Participant of ASEAN Trade Fair, Tokyo. - May 2005
Participant at Sapa Poverty Reduction Conference, Vietnam. - February 2006
Featured Artist Raffles Hotel WFAE, Singapore
Joanna Smith - film maker, curator
Joanna Smith an English born photographer and film-maker, has been based in Laos since mid 1999. A photography assignment with an E.U. funded project opened the door to more assignments in Laos. In October 2000 she co-founded OckPopTok.
Joanna has photographed for leading magazines such as Wallpaper, Gourmet, Destinasian and Travel and Lifestyle. Her film work has been shown at the French film 'Festival Nature', whilst corporate film work has taken her to Hong Kong and China.
Joanna initially learnt her weaving skills from Veo, working alongside weavers and dyers for the last 6 years has taught Joanna indigenous textile skills not taught at Western Art Institutions.
- June 1998
Graduated BA Hons Photography, Manchester University. - September 2002
Exhibition at Headmasters Gallery, Sydney. Guest speaker to Sydney Textile Society. - March 2004
Participant of ASEAN Trade Fair, Tokyo. - May 2005
Participant at Sapa Poverty Reduction Conference, Vietnam. - February 2006
Featured Artist Raffles Hotel WFAE, Singapore.
Sengchan Chantavong - researcher, archiver
SengJan Chantavong, graduated from English school in 2004. Her first work placement was with the Lao Tourism Authority in Luang Prabang. It was here she learnt many skills working alongside highly educated Lao officials.
In 2005 SengJan joined OckPopTok as the information officer. Her role is to gather and process information relating to textile techniques and their cultural relevance. It is through her work that the idea of Fibre2Fabric was founded.
Dalounee Phanchatakhan - weaver, researcher
Dalounny Phanchatakhan is also the daughter of a weaver and tailor, learning her skills at a young age too. She graduated from English School in 2003 and has a diploma in accounting.
In 2001 she joined the OckPopTok team. Dalounny has been on all the research trips over the last few years. Her work has enabled her to travel to many trade fairs and exhibitions, including the annual Lao Handicraft Fair in Vientiane and exhibitions in Singapore and Thailand.