Traderous
This necklace was made for a special exhibit. The opportunity of the High Low High exhibit inspired me to research Diné adornment history, specifically handmade silver buttons. This Diné form of adornment has been used in trade since the 19th century. A lineage which ironically frames the events that brought this opportunity to my bench. I felt compelled to leave these handcrafted artifacts intact.These objects themselves, their story, beauty and history allowed me to contemplate the covetous cultural appropriation of Diné silversmithing traditions and aesthetics. My impulse was to incorporate fiber. I spun tencel fiber that I indigo dyed into yarn. As I spun, I thought about the treacherous territory of fashion, adornment and commerce; revealing the title for the first necklace, Traderous. Creating small silver “shackle” shapes to connect the buttons to their surroundings - visually strengthened their connection to the fiber but also echoed the metaphorical handcuffs placed on these makers by this circumstance and echoing the challenging history of indigenous trade with europeans.
This necklace was made for a special exhibit. The opportunity of the High Low High exhibit inspired me to research Diné adornment history, specifically handmade silver buttons. This Diné form of adornment has been used in trade since the 19th century. A lineage which ironically frames the events that brought this opportunity to my bench. I felt compelled to leave these handcrafted artifacts intact.These objects themselves, their story, beauty and history allowed me to contemplate the covetous cultural appropriation of Diné silversmithing traditions and aesthetics. My impulse was to incorporate fiber. I spun tencel fiber that I indigo dyed into yarn. As I spun, I thought about the treacherous territory of fashion, adornment and commerce; revealing the title for the first necklace, Traderous. Creating small silver “shackle” shapes to connect the buttons to their surroundings - visually strengthened their connection to the fiber but also echoed the metaphorical handcuffs placed on these makers by this circumstance and echoing the challenging history of indigenous trade with europeans.
This necklace was made for a special exhibit. The opportunity of the High Low High exhibit inspired me to research Diné adornment history, specifically handmade silver buttons. This Diné form of adornment has been used in trade since the 19th century. A lineage which ironically frames the events that brought this opportunity to my bench. I felt compelled to leave these handcrafted artifacts intact.These objects themselves, their story, beauty and history allowed me to contemplate the covetous cultural appropriation of Diné silversmithing traditions and aesthetics. My impulse was to incorporate fiber. I spun tencel fiber that I indigo dyed into yarn. As I spun, I thought about the treacherous territory of fashion, adornment and commerce; revealing the title for the first necklace, Traderous. Creating small silver “shackle” shapes to connect the buttons to their surroundings - visually strengthened their connection to the fiber but also echoed the metaphorical handcuffs placed on these makers by this circumstance and echoing the challenging history of indigenous trade with europeans.
