Author: Harmony Weavers Guild

September’s Program
September 8 @ 10:00 a.m.

Igshaan Adams hails from Cape Town, South Africa and works specifically with textiles, beads and wire sculpture creations. His art is very abstract; imprinting a contemporary and modern twist to weaving. It can be a wall hung tapestry made with found objects, bits of cloth, fiber, shells, rope, wire and beads; a filigree freestanding structure containing elements reminiscent of dust or small storm clouds; may cover a spot on the floor – reminding one of a memory of a garden path or park; or an installation in this exhibit which represents his childhood memories. A prior exhibit of his work, “Kicking Dust”, incorporates his own history and community with a dance done in Cape Town in which the participants actually kick up clouds of dust. Indeed, his pieces incorporate his history and life’s journey.

We will explore his work in a long interview with the artist about his works in an exhibition called “Desire Lines” by the Art Institute of Chicago. The interview will touch on pathways he chose and boundaries that he encountered as he proceeded along his journey. In truth, where do we expect to go and where do we actually end up? Indeed, Igshaan will discuss his works in depth and how his experiences and beliefs have evolved his art and contributed to what we see in this exhibit (it closed in July so these are his most recent effort.) His work employs symbolism which is at once both exotic and beautiful.

Some ideas to consider while viewing – do you consider your weaving a practice or an art form? And what is the difference between the practice of your craft and art or is there a difference? How has your practice evolved and where will you go next with it? Has your life’s experiences and choices influenced your art / craft and how so?

We’d love to have you join us (either via Zoom or in person), but if you can’t, here is a link to the movie – Art Institute of Chicago Artist Talk: Igshaan Adams,
April 2, 2022

Thursday, April 14, 2022 @ 10:00 a.m.

Justin Squizzero describes his work as weaving “cloth that honors the integrity of its material and traditional technique.” His family was involved in historical re-enactments, so developing expertise in historic crafts was not far afield for him. In his early teens, Squizzero learned from his grandmother how to spin, knit, sew, and dye yarn. She taught him how to card a fleece of raw sheep’s wool and use the threads to weave fabric on a loom.

Justin interned and then worked at the Marshfield School of Weaving in central Vermont. From there, he worked at museums and as a historical re-enactor at Plimoth Patuxet Museums and Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. He is now living in rural Newbury, Vermont, in an 1810 farmhouse he is restoring called The Burroughs Garret after the original builder. He works on historically accurate reproductions, on 18th and 19th century equipment, and has an appreciation for the handmade tools and the quality of workmanship prevalent at that time. Squizzero knits together a living creating high-end fabrics for museums, galleries, collectors and historical sites such as Mount Vernon and Colonial Williamsburg.

In this program, Justin will give a brief overview of how he came to handweaving and then details the history of his Jacquard equipment, how the loom works, and the entire process of recreating a coverlet woven in 1830. For a preview of his work, go to his website: www.theburroughsgarret.com There you will find videos, photos of Justin, his equipment and some of his creations.