Andean tunics, hats from the Incan Empire and Native American cigar cases helped Malinda Blustain, Director of the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, provide historical context for the Sheila Hicks Exhibition at the Addison Gallery of American Art
the past Wednesday.
Blustain explained the origin and significance of her favorite Pre-Columbian baskets and clothes from the Peabody collection for during her presentation “An Ageless Communiqué: The Catalyst of the First American Fiber Industries”
Blustain argued that despite the many different cultures present in the Americas prior to the arrival of Columbus, several countries produced similar woven textiles.
“The human brain is structured in such a way that it uses elements in the same way over space and time,” Blustain said.
Jamie Kaplowitz, Museum Learning Fellow, said, ““The artifacts allowed visitors to see what inspired [Shelia Hicks] and the wealth of the Peabody Museum. They also helped visitors draw parallels between the Addison and Peabody collections.”
Blustain said many basket weavers began creating textiles that met the demands of the market, following the creation of the intercontinental trade network. Basket weabers began creating more complex designs and using more varying colors and dyes.
Blustain described the basics weaving methods that ancient artists used while creating their piece by showing many different examples.
Artists used twining, the most sophisticated and flexible design, coiled basketry, a strong weave, intricate weaving, a tight, square weave, plaiting, a design made up of right-angles and wicker, the pattern used in making porch furniture today.
Pre-Columbian artisans typically used grass, tree roots and bark when they created their baskets, and they dyed their yarn and painted their creations using colors made from plants and minerals.
Blustain explained that many of methods and materials used in the past, such as the backstop loom, wool, cotton, and indigo, are also used today in the textile industry.
The ancient textiles had a greater significance to the Pre-Columbian people beyond their utilitarian purposes.
“[Weaving] wasn’t just a craft for these people, it was a fundamental form of expression,” Blustain said.
Blustain showed several images depicting burials using ancient textiles, vessels used for Andean sacrifices, ceremonial wedding baskets, the Incan ritual of the “basket dance” and women standing outside their thatched huts surrounded by elaborate baskets.
“[The Pre-Columbians] always had a pride for the things they used; they embellished what was culturally important, especially if it was important to the economy as well,” said Blustain.
Blustain first became interested in weaving when her mother taught her how to make her own clothes, giving her an appreciation for textiles. After studying archaeology, Blustain analyzed the fossilized remains of baskets in Egypt.
