Starting with the trade of materials from Europe in the late 18th century, Cherokee and other Southeastern Woodland fingerweaving thrived. The technique used, called open face or flat braiding, was typically done with one color of fine wool in an oblique pattern. Beads, usually white, were woven into the weaving making patterns along the oblique line. All weaving is 100% wool and glass size 10 or 11 European trade beads.
Regalia items
(bags, sashes, belts, garters, and straps)
(bags, sashes, belts, garters, and straps)
Modern items
(framed designs and jewelry)
(framed designs and jewelry)
|
Check out my YouTube channel for lessons and information about oblique fingerweaving!
|
Featured Works
See detailed images in above gallery.
|
Thanks, Aberdeen
The time period between the Yamasee War (1717) and the Indian Removal Act (1830) is considered by many to be the Golden Age for Indigenous Southeastern Woodland trade good art forms. These beautiful textile works of art were created with newly acquired materials from Europe including wool, silk, and glass beads. They were used for ceremony, regalia, and as diplomatic gifts. Southeastern Woodland tribes also developed a very special kinship with Scottish immigrants, furthering trade amongst them. For this reason, many of these works of art remain in the care of European museums—especially in Scotland—to this day. The decades after removal were filled with enormous turmoil and strife, so not much from this Golden Age was left to preserve. In some cases, the artifacts in Europe are all we have left of certain techniques and styles, so they are very important for contemporary artists to learn from, in order to reconstruct this time period of extraordinary artistry. This set of garters is my attempt to recreate a technique from two artifacts in the University of Aberdeen collection. This oblique fingerweaving technique involves stringing beads on every strand, and seating them at a 45° angle in order to create the illusion of horizontal lines. I wanted to adapt the pattern to use the fingering weight wool I’m used to, instead of the very fine yarn used in the artifacts. This way the beads have more breathing room and look nice and neat. I can’t say it enough, but THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your stewardship of these amazing works of art! University of Aberdeen Reg. Nos. for garter artifacts: ABDUA-5513 and ABDUA-5514 |
|
|
The Forever War
This piece is dedicated to the soldiers who fight our wars only to come home from combat with invisible wounds, still engaged in a solitary and lifelong battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.The two-headed pileated woodpecker motif comes from pre-European contact mound builder pottery, and represents warriors, not generals or leaders, but the actual fighters of conflict. In Cherokee symbology, the color white represents peace whereas red represents war. I chose to weave the woodpecker in white surrounded by strips of red to represent the soldier who returns to civilian life, but is trapped by unending conflict. For these men and women who fight to defend human rights around the world, the battle doesn’t end when they return home. |
|
|
Water Is Life
This piece was inspired by the Standing Rock Sioux protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline being constructed through their land and water supply. Water is precious. Water is life. |
|
|
Jacobite Groom
This piece of Southeastern Woodland Fingerweaving is a statement of my heritage that holds a special place in my heart. Around the same time my Cherokee ancestors were doing this style of weaving, the Dress Act was being enforced in Scotland, prohibiting my Scottish ancestors from wearing the kilt and other traditional clothing. Many generations later, my rich family trees merged, and I enjoy merging their art forms. The colors I chose are from the Graham tartan. My Graham ancestors had to flee Scotland and reverse the spelling of their name, creating the Maharg family. I imagine a beautiful wedding with a Cherokee bride and Scottish groom. He would be proudly wearing a kilt, tartan, and brooch. |
|
|
Three Worlds
This three piece set represents the concept of the three worlds of Cherokee mythology. The sash represents the upper world with colors of sky and smoke. The belt represents our world with colors of the forest. The knee bands represent the lower world with colors of water. |
|