Ice Break – Janette Gross USA
Over the months it takes to create a tapestry Janette gets to know her materials intimately. From design to dyeing to weaving, the process is tactile and intuitive. As she listens to her materials, the weaving changes and grows. She also learns from the blind weavers whom she works with as a volunteer. They teach her to use her sense of touch as well as her eyes.
Ice Break is an example of her continuing study of wedge weave, a Dine (commonly known as Navajo) weave structure distinguished by scalloped edges. Rather than recreating Dine designs, Jenette honours them and weaves a unique and contemporary story by adding open slits and a card woven edge. These pieces address her overwhelming concern