Introduction

This is my journey through researching and designing a body of work inspired by Isishweshwe fabric. Isishweshwe fabric defined as a printed dyed cotton fabric widely used for South African clothing. This research report aims to investigate how Isishweshwe and other African fabrics are used in different cultures and how Isishweshwe fabric has become a part of what  African people's use for their cultural identities. I will be using the action research to develop a collection of contemporary jewellery inspired by the visual and non-visual aspects of Isishweshwe fabric. This research report consists of three chapters:

• Chapter one where I have to define the terminology in my working title and discuss contemporary jewellery with relates to my work.
• Chapter two consists of a literature review of the work of other artists and jewellers I have used as reference this research.
• Chapter three speaks about the jewellery pieces and prototypes I have created throughout this journey.