Woven Traditions: Native American Basketry of the Southwest

Jan. 28 – April 12, 2012 

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Basket-weaving is one of the oldest known Native American traditions and many baskets from the American Southwest date from as early as 6,000 years ago.  Originally made for utilitarian functions, such a storing and transporting food, baskets were decorated with elaborate designs important to tribal cultural traditions.  As the uses for baskets evolved with Native American culture, the traditional techniques and designs have remained relatively the same.  

Drawn from the University of Wyoming Art Museum collections, Woven Traditions: Native American Basketry of the Southwest presents baskets that feature traditional and contemporary designs, including turtles, spiders, butterflies and kachinas.  

• Funded in part by the National Advisory Board of the UW Art Museum

Images:

Top left:  Anonymous (Hopi), Basket, Mudhead Design, Not dated, Fiber, pigment, 1-1/8 x 14-1/4 inches, Gift of James R. Nolan, University of Wyoming Art Museum Collection
1992.1.36

Bottom left:  Eleanor Rock (Navajo), Basket, Yei-Bei-Chai Design, Not dated, Fiber, pigment, 4-1/8 x 16-1/2 inches, Gift of James R. Nolan, University of Wyoming Art Museum Collection, 1992.1.38

Top right:  Lorna Quamahogheua (Hopi), Basket, Hopi Shalako Kachina Design, Not dated, wicker, pigment, 1-1/2 x 15-3/4 inches, Gift of James R. Nolan, University of Wyoming Art Museum Collection, 1992.1.37

Bottom right:  Anonymous (Tohono O’odham), Basket, Rattlesnake Design, Not dated, Fiber, pigment, 2-3/8 x 9-1/2 inches, Gift of James R. Nolan, University of Wyoming Art Museum Collection, 1992.1.29