The story….

This exquisite textile took multiple months to produce, let alone 4 years to envision its execution. Introducing, Labyrinth. Artwork is comprised out of pounds of raw hemp that is a modern, sustainable alternative to traditional basket making materials that have become harder to source in the desert. While wanting to honor traditional materials such as beargrass, yucca, devils claw & willow, the artist acknowledges the desert landscape is highly dependent upon water which in turn permits the plants that hold the fibers to thrive. As the Santa Cruz River in the Southern Arizona region was diverted to support blossoming cities, the landscape took a huge hit by losing it’s water source, which in turns changes the desert. As there is a significant amount of plant fiber, hemp, used in this work, the artist wanted a material that wasn’t going to affect any other basket makers sources for materials. There is an element of history present in this piece, there is a story line to a traditional Tohono O’odham symbol reflecting the Man in the Maze which is the way we journey in life. The artwork holds this symbology without being pictorial. In total, this work took multiple years to bring to life.

The process…

20 lbs of raw hemp were sourced from an organic hemp farm. Individual piles were sorted to create a durable strength and multi-ply weight of yarn. Every strand of yarn ran through the artists hands. Process took a few days and the chaos if miniscule fibers were everywhere. The floor loom was dressed with a cotton warp to create a negative design in the center, the hemp yarn was the weft design. 32 individual panels were woven, cut and stitched, The labyrinth design took on different iterations to reflect an interwoven presence before finalized and mounted atop one another. These squares began to create a labyrinth, reflecting the unknown journey of life we each walk upon. A labyrinth can often feel peaceful, or overwhelming with myriad turns, dead ends, knowledge & faith to be found around each corner. The first iteration was completed in 2020.

After the first edition of Labyrinth was created, the work was showcased with a request for gold foiling. Layers of gold foil were applied creating a warmth, invoking the sunlight overhead that watches us as we navigate the labyrinth. Additionally, two years later, the work evolved with the addition of hand combed white agave fiber wrapped in copper toned jewelry wire.

The agave is a fiber that has been found in baskets from the Sonoran Desert were the artists lineage descends from. The process of wrapping the agave is to reflect the coiling technique found in the baskets. By utilizing indigenous fibers, the artist maintains a sense of connection of home within her work. The agave fiber was then gilded with 18 karat leaf. This artwork is backed with acid-free linen with pockets for suspension.

Dimensions: 

69x72x2.5”