Earl came across this gem of a project recently when one of his Illustrator student's mentioned she was assisting an artist friend with a project she had launched this year, "Forest I", a cedar bark, plastic strapping, and wool wrapped-twined and plaited full size automobile (1956 Nash Metropolitan) using bark salvaged from urban forests clear cut for condominium developments.
Basket Weaver, Annie Ross along with assistants Jenni Tiles (decoupage) and Robert Pictou have been working on this project which is almost completed since the beginning of this year; from processing the salvaged bark (stripping and pounding), measuring, designing motifs, weaving, decoupaging the interior, living and breathing the project.
Continuing the hand work of her Mayan lineage Annie explains that "Forest I" speaks of colonization, urban sprawl, the concept of trash (bark, considered trash to construction crews); remediating an urban landscape that came from the forest, and what can happen through the act of salvage. Thinking back to the basketry covered glass bottles, the project considers and speaks to the several waves of colonialism upon aboriginal peoples. Spirits are shown by flowers and animals woven in wool. Visit here to read more of the artist's statement.
Cedar Blessing - (see more here)They were kind enough to allow us to share some of their process here, but to understand the depth and meaning of this project, a visit to Annie's blog, Annie Dancer is definitely recommended.
They are waiting for confirmation mid October of an exhibition here in Vancouver at the Bill Reid Gallery in January.
White Owl - read more here
Interior of roof, pinecone design using dyed biscuit carpentry joints - more here
Annie trimming cedar edges & interior floor decoupaged using maps
Spirits, shown by flowers and animals woven in wool, considers wrapped bottles, wrapped bodies, as its ancestral line.
And we couldn't leave this post without showing some of Annie's beautiful weaved baskets (below) which we are told, she cannot part with. Sigh.
More images can be found by visiting Annie's blog, anniedancer.wordpress.com
