Do you collect particular crafts or textiles “in your travels?” Do these treasures influence the designs that appear in your work? As I was looking through photos a few days ago, I realized that my collection of textiles with ethnic designs may be a bigger influence on my art than thought.
Here are a few photos from a recent visit to the Twin Cities and some of the textiles I have collected over the years. The first 4 photos are from an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul.
Beaded yoke, Ojibwe, Minnesota History Center
This is a beaded yoke from the Mille Lacs area in Minnesota. It dates from the late 1800s, and the beads are still brilliant. The simple, graphic interpretation of flowers and leaves is beautiful.
Bandolier Bag, Ojibwe, Minnesota History Center
This panel is from the front of a Bandolier Bag. It is also an Ojibwe artifact, and dates to the late 1800s.
Cradle Board, Douglas K Limón, Ojibwe/Oneida, Minnesota History Center
This is a recent piece by Douglas K Limón in 2008. It decorates the top of a cradleboard. If you look closely, you’ll see white turtle feet, heads and tails in each of the circles. The design elements are also repeated in the outer green band. You really have to look at these designs for a while to see everything!
Leather vest, Dakota, Minnesota History Center
A leather vest decorated with porcupine quills also caught my eye. This is from a Dakota maker from around 1900. It amazes me that these pieces, over 100 years old all retain intense color. I may have to learn more about what kind of dyes they used on those quills some day.
Hooked Rug, Ramona Christina Tumax Tzunun, Guatamala
This amazing piece is a hooked rug in an exhibit at the Textile Center in Minneapolis. The exhibit is called The Power of Maya Women’s Artistry. This piece, by Ramona Cristina Tumax Tzunun is based on traditional Maya costumes from three different areas.
Detail from Hooked Rug, Ramona Christina Tumax Tzunun, Guatamala
Here is detail shot from this rug. I am fascinated by the design elements in each section of the rug, and the way the maker uses bands of color to mimic the embroidery stitches in the original costumes.
This exhibit will be at the Textile Center through August 27th, 2016. You really must see these rugs to get the full effect!
Table Runner, Mexico
When I travel to Mexico, I make it a point to purchase several pieces from local artisans. This is a section of a table runner I purchased several years ago. The colorful geometric shapes are added after the weaving is complete.
Embroidery, Mexico
There are so many different embroidery styles in Mexico! I’m going to make it a point to learn more when I visit again this fall. This is a small section of a beautiful embroidery I purchased at the Feria del Maestros in Chapala last November.
Embroidery, Venda tribe, South Africa
What I love most about the textiles I purchase are the stories behind them. I met Ina le Roux from South Africa at the Houston Quilt Festival several years ago. Ina started a project with women from the Venda tribe to preserve the stories and traditions of the Venda people while allowing the women to earn money to support their families.
Embroidery, Venda tribe, South Africa
Each of the embroideries has a story, and each is signed by the woman who stitched it. Textiles as a means of empowerment. It doesn’t get any better than that.
In the past, I have purchased textiles as a remembrance, as a way to support the makers, and simply because I like the pieces. This year, I’m going to make it a point to learn more. There is much to be learned by studying ethnic textiles from different areas – and certainly no shortage of design ideas to inspire our current work.
Your Turn
Do you collect textiles in your travels? Do you make something with them – or simply keep them on hand for your enjoyment?
I’m so glad to have come across your site via Hummingbird Highway! These remind me of the 70’s when my ceramic teacher took a vacation. I believe she went to Hawaii and brought back some reverse applique. I had never seen it before or after until recent years because it’s coming into vogue again. I was in awe because it was so different. The pictures you show remind me of those pieces, colorful birds and leaves. I love the hooked rug with birds!
Welcome to Cedar Canyon, Sandra. If you look at designs from around the world, a lot of common themes show up, and the interpretation of the themes can be surprisingly similar. But it’s fun to really look at designs to see how they are common and how they are different.
I was blown away by the rugs from Guatemala. They are simply stunning. It was definitely worth the trip to see them in person.
You should consider coming to the Santa Fe Folk Art Market, which is held each year in July here in Santa Fe, NM:
https://www.folkartalliance.org/events-programs/international-folk-art-market-santa-fe/what-is-the-market/
The artisans display a fascinating array of items decorated with folk art motifs from around the world.
Nikki
I would love to see the Folk Art market one day. Definitely on my “list!”
What is a cradle board? I am very inspired by those beautiful designs. Thanks.
A cradle board is literally a board with a blanket laced to it that holds a baby on a woman’s back. It was the way Native American women of certain tribes carried their babies when they were working or moving from place to place. Some cultures use/used slings, these tribes used cradle boards.
I’m always impressed by the universal themes that show up in ethnic handwork. I have textiles from Thailand, Navajo weaving, Hopi silver jewelry, Swedish embroidery, etc…….all using nearly identical symbols. They compliment each other in so many ways. Figuring out how the artist crafted the piece is often a wonder-full mystery to unravel. Sometimes it’s important to understand that the meaning of the symbol has changed over time, as well.
That’s an interesting thought, Margaret. It makes sense that people from different cultures and from different time periods would assign a different meaning to a symbol. If “reality” is the here and now, our perceptions are certainly different based on where we are in the world and the years that we are here on earth.
New Mexico definitely on my bucket list….I have been collecting Molas and Mexican art for many years…I love the colors….thanks for sharing your designs and giving us ideas and inspiration…