Kay Parker: Playing with Lightning, Ravenstail Weaving at the Alaska State Museum April 5, 2013 to October 12, 2013
Ravenstail weaving is an ancient form of twining used to create robes with bold and dazzling geometric designs. By the late 18th century, this geometric style had become highly developed, but then seems to have disappeared with the emergence of Chilkat weaving, a technique used to create curvilinear “formline” crests on robes and regalia. By the early 1800s, Ravenstail’s historic form and techniques were absent from the northern Northwest Coast and Alaska.
Two centuries later, teacher-researcher and fiber artist Cheryl Samuel studied the surviving Ravenstail robes in museum collections, reverse-engineering the technique in the process. She proceeded to return this traditional knowledge to the coast, and over the past two decades, Cheryl and her students have helped Ravenstail weaving become part of the living culture, once again held esteemed among the arts of the Northwest Coast. Through shows and demonstrations, a new generation is encouraged to participate in the weaving and dancing community, thereby fostering a respect for Native cultural traditions. In honoring ceremonial regalia of the Native culture, I hope to foster respect among diverse cultures.
I enjoy the challenge and excitement of the “research and development” necessary to apply traditional techniques in the weaving of new, original objects, like hats woven in the round, as well as traditional objects, like a tunic with sleeves. I also invest my time in making the art of Ravenstail accessible as a living art form through teaching at the University of Alaska Southeast and in communities around Alaska, and by creating weaving materials.
“Playing with Lightning” has been my passion, pastime and entertainment with my latest weavings. I find the “Lightning” pattern to be the most exciting of the old patterns that were given to us in the few remaining examples of this style of weaving.
Kay Field Parker 2013
Photographs by Sara Boesser
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“Mirrored Lightning to Diamonds” compact twined dance headdress
Design – Lightning and Diamond Merino warp and weft, white mink, rhinestone stars, Ultrasuede. 2007
Black/white/yellow with black border “Lightning Reflection” Dance Bib
Leather, beaver fur and beads. 2010 Sea otter fur by Vicki Soboleff 1993
“Lightning Diamond” five-sided dance apron
Central design – Mirrored Lightning to Diamond Merino warp and weft, white mink fur, abalone buttons and tin cones. 2007
“Haida Tattoo” compact dance leggings
Top/bottom border – Lightning pattern Central design – Tattoo pattern Merino warp and weft, abalone buttons, deer hooves and leather. Sea otter fur by Vicki Soboleff. 2006
“Lightning/Tattoo” robe
Compact style robe Top/bottom border – Ancestors pattern Side border – Reflection of the Tree Central design – Lightning pattern and Tattoo pattern on a Haida Spider Web Skip Stitch background Merino warp and weft Sea otter fur by Vicki Soboleff. 1995
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“Lightning/Tattoo” robe
Detailed view of the robe.
Compact style robe Top/bottom border – Ancestors pattern Side border – Reflection of the Tree Central design – Lightning pattern and Tattoo pattern on a Haida Spider Web Skip Stitch background Merino warp and weft Sea otter fur by Vicki Soboleff 1995
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The large stage in the Governor’s Gallery, as seen from the north entrance.
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“Mirrored Lightning to Diamonds” compact twined dance headdress
Design – Lightning and Diamond Merino warp and weft, mother-of-pearl buttons and Ultrasuede Sea otter fur by Vicki Soboleff 2006
“Expanded Lightning” tunic with sleeves
Front – Expanded Lightning pattern Back – Wave pattern, Checkerboard pattern Bottom edge – Wrap over Wooden Dowels Sleeve patterns – Chilkat Blocks and Lightning pattern Merino warp and weft, abalone buttons and velvet. 2012
“Lightning Reflection to Diamond” tapered compact dance leggings
Central design – Mirrored Lightning to Diamond Merino warp and weft, leather and beaver fur 2012
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“Mirrored Lightning to Diamonds” compact twined dance headdress
Design – Lightning and Diamond Merino warp and weft, white mink, abalone buttons and Ultrasuede 2007
Black/white/yellow “Lightning Reflection” dance bib
Leather, beaver fur and beads 2009
“Double Around the Cross” rectangular dance apron
Top border/bottom border – Spiraling Lightning Central design – Double Around the Cross Side borders – Spiral Weft Zig Zag pattern Merino warp and weft, and leather 2010
“Double Around the Cross” space twined dance leggings
Top border – Lightning pattern Central design – Double Around the Cross Bottom border – Spiral Lightning pattern Merino warp and weft, deer hooves and leather Sea otter fur by Vicki Soboleff 1994
“Tattoo” robe
Space twined dance robe Top/bottom border – Ancestors pattern Side border – Spiral Weft – Scoop Net pattern Central design – Tattoo pattern Merino warp and weft Sea otter Fur by Vicki Soboleff 1993
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“Double Around the Cross” robe
Space twined dance robe Top border – Lightning pattern Bottom border – Spiraling Lightning pattern Side border – Spiral Weft – Mouth Track of the Woodworm
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White “Lightning” compact twined purse
Central design – Lightning pattern Top Skip Stitch border – Haida Spider Web Top border – Haida Bands Leather, silk lining and beaver fur 2009
Collection of the Alaska State Museum
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“Ancestors/Lightning” curved dance apron
Top border/bottom border – Ancestors Middle borders – Lightning Middle pattern bands – Boxes within Boxes on a Haida Spider Web pattern Side borders – Reflection of the Tree Merino warp and weft, leather, white mink fur, metal cones and deer hooves 2012
“Lightning Diamond” five-sided dance apron
Central design – Mirrored Lightning to Diamond Merino warp and weft, abalone buttons, leather fringe and metal cones 2005
Collection of the Juneau-Douglas City Museum
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“Tattoo Lightning-Swirling Lightning” curved dance apron
Top border/bottom border – Lightning pattern Middle borders – Spiraling Lightning Middle pattern bands – Tattoo pattern on a Haida Spider Web pattern Side borders – Reflection of the Tree Merino warp and weft, leather, beaver fur and deer hooves 2013
“Voices from the Ice” curved dance apron
Top border – Returning Salmon pattern Vertical borders – Reflection of the Tree Side panels – Glacial Ice Skip Stitch pattern Central design – Top: Drum Beat of a “Welcome Song” Middle: The Glacier Bottom: People Coming Out Under the Glacier Leather, metal cones and deer hooves
Woven as a collaborative project for the Alaska State Museum
1994
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Showing detail of the
“Tattoo Lightning-Swirling Lightning” curved dance apron
Middle borders – Spiraling Lightning
Middle pattern bands – Tattoo pattern on a Haida Spider Web pattern
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Hat case and Red and Black case.
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Hats (left to right)
Top row
Inverted black/blue “Lightning”
Wool top, Ultrasuede, leather and silk lining 2007
White/black/yellow “All Weavers Intertwined”
Wool top, Ultrasuede, leather and silk lining 2006
White/blue/yellow “Chilkat Triangles”
Ultrasuede top, leather and silk lining 2012
White/black/yellow “Lightning”
Wool top, Ultrasuede, leather and silk lining 2011
Middle row
Red/black “Lightning”
Wool top, Ultrasuede, leather and silk lining 2010
White/black/yellow “All Weavers Intertwined” variation
Wool top, Ultrasuede, leather and silk lining 2006
Red/black “Lightning”
Wool top, Ultrasuede, leather and silk lining 2010
Bottom row
White/black/yellow “Lightning”
Wool top, Ultrasuede, leather and silk lining 2011
Circular – Black/blue/yellow “Chilkat Triangles”
Ultrasuede, wool top, leather and silk lining 2012
White/black “Spirit Dancers”
Ultrasuede top, leather and beaver fur 2013
Light blue/dark blue “Lightning”
Ultrasuede, leather and silk lining Collection of the Alaska State Museum 2007
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Tunic
“Lightning” vest Mirrored Lightning pattern Background pattern – Haida Spider Web Skip Stitch Merino warp and weft, gold lamé yarn, leather, metal cones and deer hooves 2009
White/black Butterfly tunic Top pattern – Chilkat Triangles Bottom pattern – Butterfly pattern Background – Haida Spider Web Skip Stitch pattern Merino warp and weft, leather, beaver fur, metal cones and deer hooves 2010
Medicine Bag
“Lightning” pattern Merino warp and weft, leather and beaver fur 2008
Headband
“All Weavers Intertwined” compact twined headband Merino warp and weft, beaver fur, leather, cotton lining, beads and metal cones 2010
Hat – All Merino Warp and Weft
Red/black “Bear Tracks and Spirit Dancer” variation Ultrasuede, leather and beaver fur 2013
Pocket Purses
“Lightning” round zippered bag Merino warp and weft, Ultrasuede, zipper and silk brocade lining 2004
“Lightning” pattern checkbook cover Merino warp and weft, mother-of-pearl buttons and leather 1997
Pocket Purses
“Lightning” pattern pocket purse Merino warp and weft, mother-of-pearl buttons and leather lining 2010
“Lightning” pattern tri-fold pocket purse Merino warp and weft, mother-of-pearl beads and leather 2000
Round Purse
Red/Black “Lightning” compact twined purse Central design – Lightning pattern Top Skip Stitch pattern – Haida Spider Web Top border – Lattice pattern, Leather, silk lining and beaver fur 2010
Medicine Bag
“Haida Tattoo” pattern Merino warp and weft, leather and beaver fur 2008
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top to bottom
Wool Collar
White/black/yellow “Diamond/Box within a Box” Beaver fur and mother-of-pearl buttons/beads (teaching project designed by Cheryl Samuel) 1992
Hat – All Merino Warp and Weft
Light blue/pink/white “Lightning” Ultrasuede top and silk lining 2008
Pocket Purse
“Lightning” pattern tri-fold pocket purse Merino warp and weft, mother-of-pearl beads and leather 2000
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Medicine Bags
left to right
“Box within a Box” patterns Merino warp and weft and sea otter fur Sea otter fur by Vicki Soboleff 1993
“Diamond” patterns Merino warp and weft, beaver fur and deer hooves 1992
“Box within a Box” patterns Merino warp and weft, beaver fur and metal cones 1992
“Diamond” patterns Merino warp and weft and sea otter fur Sea otter fur by Vicki Soboleff 1993
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Touch-me Bag
“Box within a Box/Diamond” patterns Merino warp and weft and beaver fur 1995
Touch-me Rattle Deer toes and devil’s club 2013
These objects allow visitors to feel the weaving and to hear the rattling sound of the deer toes used to decorate many of the aprons and leggings in the show.
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left to right
“Sun Woman” tunic
“Lightning” compact dance leggings (top) Top/bottom white border – Haida Spider Web Skip Stitch pattern Top/bottom two color border – Lattice pattern Central design – Lightning pattern Merino warp and weft, deer hooves and leather Sea otter fur by Vicki Soboleff Teaching project designed by Cheryl Samuel 2004
“Mirrored Lightning” compact dance leggings (middle) Central design – Mirrored Lightning Merino warp and weft, Ultrasuede, abalone buttons and beaver fur 2009
“Flying Geese” compact dance leggings (bottom) Top/bottom white border – Summer Grasses Skip Stitch pattern Top/bottom border – Half Head of the Salmon Berry pattern Central design – Flying Geese Merino warp and weft, deer hooves and leather Sea otter fur by Vicki Soboleff 1992
“Moon Woman” tunic
“Lightning Reflection” tapered compact dance leggings (top) Central design – Mirrored Lighting to Diamonds Merino warp and weft, abalone buttons, metal cones, deer hooves, beaver and marten fur (Collection of the Alaska State Museum) 2007
“Box within a Box and Diamond” space twined dance leggings (middle) Top/bottom border – Diamond pattern Merino warp and weft, leather, gold lamé, beads and beaver fur 2007
“Tattoo Ancestors” space twined dance leggings (bottom) Top/bottom border – Ancestors pattern Central design – Tattoo pattern Side borders – Spiral Weft pattern Merino warp and weft, leather and deer hooves Sea otter fur by Vicki Soboleff 1993
White/black “Butterfly” tunic Top pattern – Chilkat Triangles Bottom pattern – Butterfly pattern Background – Haida Spider Web Skip Stitch pattern Merino warp and weft, leather, beaver fur, metal cones and deer hooves 2010
White/Black “Ancestors” medicine bags Merino warp and weft, leather and sea otter fur Sea otter fur by Vicki Soboleff 2007
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“Sun Woman” tunic
Sun Woman design on a Haida Spider Web Skip Stitch background Merino warp and weft, Ultrasuede, mother-of-pearl buttons, leather, deer hooves, ermine and metal cones 2010
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Detail of “Sun Woman” tunic
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“Moon Woman” tunic
Moon Woman design on a Haida Spider Web Skip Stitch background
Merino warp and weft, Ultrasuede, abalone buttons, leather and metal cones 2013
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Detail of “Moon Woman” tunic
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“Lightning Reflection” tapered compact dance leggings
Central design – Mirrored Lighting to Diamonds Merino warp and weft, abalone buttons, metal cones, deer hooves, beaver and marten fur (Collection of the Alaska State Museum) 2007
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