Collection Exchange Micro-Exhibition — Versatile Rush Grass, Innovative Straw Sandals

Raffia grass woven shoe uppers and slippers / Collection of the Taichung City Fiber Art Museum
Creator | No creator listed
Material | Raffia grass
Dimensions | Woven shoe upper: 37x15cm
Slippers: 26x11cm
Year | 2005

Raffia grass fiber is obtained from the leaves of the Raphia genus of palm trees, known for its toughness, durability, and smoothness. During the peak production period of Tachia hats and mats in Taiwan in the 1970s, demand for hat-weaving materials was high, and raffia grass was imported from Madagascar, Africa, as a raw material. Furthermore, due to its water resistance, raffia grass is well-suited to Taiwan's hot and humid summer climate, making raffia grass woven slippers quite popular in the Taiwanese market.
This set of works includes raffia grass woven shoe uppers and slippers. The color scheme combines natural tones with a small amount of dyed colors, created using the openwork technique commonly employed in hat and mat weaving.

※ The Taichung City Fiber Art Museum is currently hosting the exhibition "Rush Mat, Fine Weather: Taiwan-Japan Rush Culture Weaving Exhibition" (Exhibition Hall 1A). Exhibition Period: 2025.9.27 - 2026.3.1. The public is welcome to visit.