Furnishing Fabric - John Rodriquez, Street Scene, 1959

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Summary:: Furnishing fabric, 1959. Designed by John Rodriquez, an influential Australian textile designer from the 1950s to 1970s. Screen printed by hand.

'Street Scene' fabric by John Rodriquez was featured in Australian Home Beautiful, September 1959, p.45. The article notes that it was printed on linen-weave cotton, and was available in tan, marine blue, chartreuse, sage, red, charcoal and white. It was 48 inches wide, and sold for 22/6 per yard.

In the early days of his business in 1954, John Rodriquez used a 36 inch wide duck fabric. He continued using this type of fabric for about two years - he was able to buy small quantities and the supply was regular. Contemporary textile designs such as Frances Burke also used this fabric. However, the duck was too stiff to hang well, and the established market overseas was for 48 inch fabrics. Around 1956 he was able to find a supply of 48 inch cotton.
Description:: Avocado on white cotton.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Ms Patricia Rodriquez, 2006

Discipline:	History
Dimensions:	1290 mm (Height), 1000 mm (Width)

Tagged with:	fabric designs, textiles, screen printing, handcrafts, furnishings
Themes this item is part of:	John Rodriquez Textile Collection, Clothing & Textiles Collection, Domestic & Community Life Collection
Primary Classification:	MANUFACTURING & INDUSTRY
Secondary Classification:	Printmaking
Tertiary Classification:	textiles
Artist:	John Rodriquez, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1959
Place & Date Made:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1959
References:	Photocopies of old issues of Home Beautiful which display John's fabric designs have been offered by the donor. Newspaper cuttings showing clothes made from Rodriquez-designed fabrics.