November 2 – December 3, 2018

Yukon Arts Centre Community Gallery

Whitehorse, Yukon

Inspired by the exhibition catalogue for Native Fashion Now, produced by the Peabody Essex Museum, the initial idea for A Study of Cloth and Beads was born. With no background in fashion, I wondered how the artists featured in Native Fashion Now discovered which fabrics worked well with beadwork. I wanted to study it myself and see if there were any new materials I could work with in the future.

For many beadwork artists, melton (a felt-like fabric) is often the fabric of choice when doing a large beadwork project. I had learned to work with tires and hubcaps with beadwork, but I hadn’t used many fabrics. I sought out the opportunity to study something new as well as present my findings to the public. With a background in social science, I’ve been craving a good research project.

Initially I asked myself: Which fabrics would work well with beadwork? Which ones wouldn’t? and Which ones would I be surprised with? After completing the work, I’ve discovered that I do not enjoy working with fabrics that have static or become wrinkled easily. I also would have benefitted from using an embroidery hoop for cotton and polyester fabrics that preferred to stretch. Fabrics with loose fibres, such as burlap or lace, are in no way ideal for beadwork however I enjoy the effect they can provide to the artwork.

Discover for yourself how far beadwork can go.