Woven: The Art of Contemporary Native Basketry
Joey Lavadour / Umatilla
Weaving is often referred to in the context of a "lost art" that has been "regained." I learn to weave in the traditional style of the Plateau people that goes back more than 10,000 years form tribal elder Carrie Sampson when I was 15 years old. The art of weaving had never been lost to her and her ancestors; a continuum of knowledge flowed directly down to her, and then passed on to me. I feel a great pride and obligation in being entrusted with that knowledge.
Carrie always said that instead of weaving designs in what I thought were traditional colors, I weave together the colors that I see in my dreams. My dreams are vivid and sometimes bring together colors that might seem at odds with making and object to look pleasing, but I find power in holding true to my dream world.
Pendleton wool yarn is a weaving material of great quality. It is of the same place I am, not just by virtue of manufacturing process, but the memories of Pendleton blankets being used by my family and my community. I worked at the mill when I was young and the rooms filled with thousands of spools of yarn created a vibrant backdrop to mindless work.
These works are created in a technique referred to as full twist twining, Pendleton wool yarn over hemp cord.
- Joey Lavadour
