Sarah H. Jackson, Textile Artist: Toran Inspired Handwoven Vest

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Toran Inspired Handwoven Vest

When I looked at the date of my last post, I was surprised how long it's been! The most exciting news I have to share is the publication in Handwoven magazine of a vest I designed. Each issue of Handwoven typically revolves around a central theme, and this issue (Jan/Feb 2011) focuses on weaving inspired by other cultures. The Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe houses an incredible textile collection, and that's where I found my inspiration for this vest. A toran, a Hindu door decoration, sparked the idea for the shaped tabs and beads at the hemline. I don't have permission to print the photo of the toran here, but it may be seen by pasting this link into your browser:

http://books.google.com/books?id=F9FYlRfSMj0C&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=collection+museum+international+folk+art+door+decoration+India&source=bl&ots=5slXCmWTyp&sig=ZrsfMXDRV5-aNH7itLV66rD8uVQ&hl=en&ei=RempTPDrIY-2sAOEv_HvDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

This page from Handwoven is published with permission from Handwoven magazine.


If you are interested in a copy, it is available here: http://www.interweavestore.com/Weaving/Handwoven-Magazine/Handwoven-January-February-2011.html

This is the intro I wrote for my article:

The idea for this vest began to take shape when I read about Handwoven's theme issue featuring weaving based on other cultures, and a trip to New Mexico revealed the elements that eventually came together for the final design. A Taos weaving friend gave me a partial cone of space dyed rayon chenille, and when I saw Bonnie Tarses' "Almost Ikat" technique at Convergence in Albuquerque I knew the yarn and technique were a good match. I wanted fringe on one edge of the vest but because chenille is unsuitable for fringe I wondered how it could be finished in a unique way. I found the answer in the textile collection of the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe; a door decoration from India that suggested woven tabs with twisted fringe in between. Later, during a visit to a bead shop near Taos I discovered the Bali style cone beads whose shape mimics the tasseled ends of the door decoration fringe and sparked the idea for adding beads to the vest. Serendipity in New Mexico? I think so.

1 comment:

JaneJanuary 18, 2011 at 6:21 PM
Beautiful work, Sarah!
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Welcome!

Artist Statement:
Handweaving, simple or elaborate; it all begins with one thread. To sit at  my loom and throw the shuttle while witnessing the interplay of color,  pattern, and texture as it develops into cloth is endlessly fascinating.
My design process often centers on color as I work within the limitations  of the loom to stretch and explore the possibilities of color interaction.
At other times I focus on the combination of structure and fiber, using  only one or two colors, to create the desired cloth.
Whether designing for the home or one-of-a-kind garments, my weaving  reflects a passion for marrying structure, fiber, and color to produce  cloth that is unique, practical, beautiful, and just right for my intended  purpose.

About Me

An early interest in art and textiles led me to the University of Kansas where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with emphasis in textile design. I started weaving again in 2005 after an almost twenty year hiatus. Some of the things I did during that time include working for a publishing company designing and writing pattern instruction for knitwear, quilting, home schooling my son, and volunteering as a Stephen minister in my church. I am passionate about weaving (everyday, if possible!), color, and texture. When not weaving, I enjoy reading, gardening, and bike riding.

I have had numerous designs published in Handwoven magazine. In January, 2012, I joined their editorial team as a technical editor, and in January, 2015, I was offered the job of weaving editor.