The beautiful fabrics have been used in scarves, throws, wall hangings and more and come from the private collections of local women Rae Webber, Annabel Marley, Isabel Scott and Rosalind Wight. 

For the past 20 years Rae has been fascinated by the countries of the Silk Road, a modern term for the ancient trading routes connecting East and West.

For centuries caravans of traders, with horse and camel, traversed the shores of the Mediterranean, the fabled cities and deserts of the Middle East and North Africa,'The Stans' of Central Asia and the vast breadth of China.

Her collection, gathered in bazaars and local villages, gives insight into the cultural richness of a diverse world.

Annabel, meanwhile, travelled to England in her 20s after completing a design diploma focusing on textile design.

She embarked on a motorcycle trip through Europe, visiting exotic places including Yugoslavia in the days of Tito.

“The brilliant colours of the ethnic designs attracted me immediately and I picked up a few items that would fit in a pannier,” Annabel said.

These knitted socks were the beginning of an eclectic collection, added to on journeys to South America, Africa and India with wall-hangings, scarves, carpets and wearables.

Isabel, with husband Leigh, has travelled far and wide including Egypt, Africa, Central America, South America, Western China, Hexi Corridor, Outer Mongolia, Borneo, The Greek Peloponnese, Crete, Athens, Turkey, Vietnam, Cambodia, and even Antarctica.

“Many of the countries we have travelled can be considered third world but nearly all get on with their lives appreciating what they have,” Isabel said. 

Rosalind’s additions are more than 100 years old; embroidered silk clothing brought from travelling traders to the hotels in Columbo where they were snapped up by her great grandmother Barbara Baynton.

The exhibition will be open all next week and aims to attract a new audience to the Arts Centre.