This week a group of members gathered at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC to see some of the items in the Museum’s textile collection. There was a special emphasis on First Nations textiles.
The artifacts in the Museum are beautifully displayed and and leave you inspired by the skills and artistry of the people who created them.
There is a lot to see at the MOA, so it was great to have a tour arranged especially for us.
Our guide talked about several items that were on public display, such as this ceremonial covering.
Some textiles, too fragile to be on public display, were retrieved from storage, and we were able to see them under the watchful eye of a conservator. No touching! No turning things over to see the back!
As quilters, we were interested in the materials, colours, designs, and construction of the pieces.
There were conversations about abalone and dentalia shell buttons and the use of goat hair, cedar, wool – and even salmon skin.
Fringes were examined and discussed.
Many thanks to our guide, Marilyn, who is a long time volunteer at the MOA, and to our own Marilyn, who arranged this tour for us.
This weaving hangs near the entrance to the galleries and represents the continuing efforts by indigenous people to reclaim, celebrate, and preserve their culture.
Seymour Quilters Guild 