Cultural Appreciation or Appropriation

The name of this blog is based upon a traditional Navajo weaving song.  I was drawn to Navajo weaving initally by the beauty and high degree of weaving skill embodied in the work.  Very quickly however I became fascinated by the culture and cosmology of the people and the central role weaving played.


I began to build my library of Navajo weaving books and reading everything I could get my hands on.  A trip to the southwest with my daughter in 2016 fed the passion.


I was visiting the places I had been reading about.  The landscapes and vistas were stunning.


The Hubbell Trading Post was just as I pictured it.


Fast forward to this week.  The The Gregg Museum of Art and Design had a demonstration of Navajo weaving and basket making.


The exhibit was small and informal which gave me the opportunity to watch and speak to the weaver,  Mary Redmustache Kealy.




Crystal Rug, a modified Two Grey Hills pattern 1955 - 1970. Handspun yarns


Wide Ruins Weaving  1920 -1950, vegetal dyes, primarily rabbitbrush.


Handmade weaving forks


My tapestry for the ATA show in Reno, The Biggest Little Tapestry Show.  Traditional wedge weave technique, with vegetal dyed wool using madder, osage orange, logwood and goldenrod.
Plus a bit of lurex for sparkle.  I would love to give this small piece a Navajo name but am conflicted.  The use of a Navajo name would be out of my love and passion for this culture and the art.  But I am not of the culture and do not want to appropriate what is not mine.
What would you do?

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