Gateway

2026
Hand spun wool
70" H x 46" L

"The weaving titled 'Gateway' hanging at the Surrey Art Gallery is in my solo show titled 'Portals'. This weaving is hanging with many blanket pins in the woven blanket, each pin standing for a person who accepted the invitation to be a part of this project. The pins represent the friends, relatives, teachers, and children who hold our community together. The weaving serves a similar purpose to the blankets that we use in Coast Salish culture, to put down for our loved ones to stand on. These floor blankets serve as a sort of gateway between then and now, before and after we receive a name, birthright, title, marriage, adoption, coming of age teachings, even in memorial. When we step off these blankets we accept our new roles and responsibilities, acknowledging the ceremony that took place, and recognizing all our loved ones who witnessed and conducted the work that builds us up. These blankets have a legal role in our ceremonies, showing when the beginning and end of a transitional moment is for an individual and their families."