There once was reciprocity between the buffalo and the Métis people so when the people communicated their needs with feet vibrating on the land - the buffalo feeling this in their own feet would respond through their actions. The buffalo of today no longer respond, but somewhere in their past, they remember.
I chose to weave my drawing into a blanket for this piece, being that blankets are a symbol of protection. The buffalo and his surroundings were originally drawn by me with charcoal and acrylic paint. Some of the marks on his body and in the background are without a specific direction, symbolizing the path of the herds from overabundance to the near extinction of today. This drawing was then digitized by me and woven into a cotton-thread blanket by a jacquard weaving machine. I applied beadwork to the blanket to honour the historic relationship between the Métis and the buffalo. Some of the beads were placed in the buffalo’s thought bubbles where they represent interference in the modern-day buffalo’s ability to connect with the people.
Cotton Story Blanket - wall hanging
Date Created: 2016
Medium: Beaded, woven cotton blanket created from original painting. Size: 56" x 72"
There once was reciprocity between the buffalo and the Métis people so when the people communicated their needs with feet vibrating on the land - the buffalo feeling this in their own feet would respond through their actions. The buffalo of today no longer respond, but somewhere in their past, they remember.
I chose to weave my drawing into a blanket for this piece, being that blankets are a symbol of protection. The buffalo and his surroundings were originally drawn by me with charcoal and acrylic paint. Some of the marks on his body and in the background are without a specific direction, symbolizing the path of the herds from overabundance to the near extinction of today. This drawing was then digitized by me and woven into a cotton-thread blanket by a jacquard weaving machine. I applied beadwork to the blanket to honour the historic relationship between the Métis and the buffalo. Some of the beads were placed in the buffalo’s thought bubbles where they represent interference in the modern-day buffalo’s ability to connect with the people.
Cotton Story Blanket - wall hanging
Date Created: 2016
Medium: Beaded, woven cotton blanket created from original painting. Size: 56" x 72"
