As a weaver for over a decade, I add my woven history to the lineage using new technology. In my newest series, Heirloom Fragments, the weavings marry my grandmother’s embroidery with my own artistic lens. After examining and photographing her textiles, I reconsidered how her designs would look through woven cloth. I weave the newly edited image by hand on a TC2 loom. This tool offers a weaver full control of every thread in their designs. The once small embroidery detail is now a large and brightly colored tapestry. I connect to my ancestors through a woven language practice.
Heirloom Fragment 01
Handwoven on a TC2 loom, sterling silver embroidery thread and varied cotton yarns, 42 in. x 37 in., 2023
Heirloom Fragment 02
Handwoven on a TC2 loom, varied yarns, 42 in. x 31 in., 2023
Heirloom Fragment 03
Handwoven on a TC2 loom, varied yarns, 42 in. x 22 in., 2023
Heirloom Fragment 04
Handwoven on a TC2 loom, 24k gold embroidery thread and varied yarns, 42 in. x 16 in., 2023
I come from a line of fiber craftswomen on both sides of my family. Traditionally for an Italian woman, carefully embroidered textiles by hand were seen as main sources of primary education and investments for their futures. My grandmother sold her dowry of textiles called her corredo to support her and my family’s immigration. It Was All for Love and Beginnings represents an exciting and daunting ten-day trip across the Atlantic Ocean and offers the viewer to reflect on their ancestors.