Lecture series
All presentations in the 1915 Sharp Studio, 4:00–5:30pm with light refreshments
Enter at 138 Kit Carson Rd.
Come early to view the two-gallery exhibit
Jan 16 | Mark Winter, Classic Saltillo Sarapes 1750–1875
Jan 17 | Mark Winter, Rio Grande Weaving Traditions 1800–Now
Feb 6 | Mark Winter, Cross Cultural: The Naakaii (Hispanic) Influence
on Navajo Weavers
Feb 7 | Mark Winter, Pueblo and Navajo (Diné) Weaving Traditions
Feb 14 | Juanita Lavadie, Weaving in El Valle: Northern New Mexico
Weaving Traditions
Mar 14 | Irving and Lisa Trujillo, Chimayo Weaving: The Artists’ Perspective
Weaving cultures together
Exhibition features rarely seen historic textiles, contemporary works, lecture series
December 22, TAOS, N.M.—Weaving the New World: Hispanic Textiles and Their Influence on the Northern Frontier opened December 6 as the winter exhibition at Couse-Sharp Historic Site. Installed in both the modern Dean Porter Gallery space and the 1830s Luna Chapel, Weaving the New World demonstrates the unique, rich, and colorful textile traditions that developed in New Mexico, Mexico, and elsewhere in what is now the American Southwest.
In addition to textiles from the Couse collection, most of the historic textiles on view are from the unparalleled lifetime collections of Mark and Linda Winter, modern-day traders to the Diné people at their Historic Toadlena Trading Post on the Navajo Nation, and James H. Collins, an astute collector based in Colorado. Mark Winter is guest curator for the exhibition. A selection of contemporary works that evolved out of the Southwest traditions are also included.
“We’re thrilled and grateful to have such amazing examples from unparalleled collections,” said Davison Koenig, executive director and curator at Couse-Sharp Historic Site. “It’s a rare opportunity to see some of the finest Southwest textiles ever produced in one exhibition, which together tell a compelling story of our shared cultural heritage. The hope is not only that they may be seen as vibrant cultural traditions which are alive and well in northern New Mexico but also that we may see them as the fine art they truly are.”
Mark Winter noted that the exhibition includes Sarapes along with Colchas and Mantas from various styles, as well as loom types representing several hundred years of shared textile traditions—all of which would have passed through Taos as important trade goods. “The two primary textile categories will be early Saltillo Sarapes and Rio Grande blankets from Old and New Mexico. These ‘wearing blankets’ were made to protect against the elements and serve as beautiful adornment,” Winter explained.
Throughout this large region, multiple groups of “prehistoric” Indigenous inhab-itants developed the use of the simple upright loom and wove sophisticated textiles of native-grown cotton and other plant fibers. The traditions developed and were refined long before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. The Spanish brought their own complex techniques and wool-bearing sheep, providing a fiber that was more practical for weaving, warmth, and a variety of uses. Although the Native population continued their own techniques, they were encouraged to adopt the European-style treadle loom and the sheep’s wool to increase production for Spanish consumption.
Although the exhibition primarily features Hispanic textiles, it also includes early examples of work by both Navajo and Pueblo weavers. Among the other rare textiles will be early Hispanic colonial examples, including Colchas, bed or wall coverings, and Ponchos for wearing. Also seen in the exhibition will be a few so-called “Slave blankets” that represent the cross-cultural textile influence seen uniquely in the American Southwest, as well as the works of contemporary Hispano master weavers.
“Weaving the New World interprets amazing examples—many rarely exhibited—of the native styles but focuses on the region’s Hispanic textile heritage, which without the blending of the cultures would not have existed,” Koenig said. “The exhibition celebrates the rich textile traditions along the northern frontier that we call home.”
You may also like the following events from The Couse-Sharp Historic Site:
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