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Sublime Light: Tapestry Art of DY Begay
- GenresArtNonfiction
272 pages, Hardcover
Published September 24, 2024
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October 30, 2024
This stunning book was released in conjunction with a retrospective exhibit by the same name at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC (exhibit on display September 20, 2024-July 13, 2025). It is so much more than an exhibit catalog.
This substantial hardcover book is 271 pages long. It includes essays by tapestry artist DY Begay, co-editors Cecile Ganteaume and Jennifer McLerran, and several other contributors, as well as an exhibition checklist of 48 works, a DY Begay chronology, and selected bibliography. The photography is spectacular - even without words, the images of the landscape around Begay's home of Tselani and the Navajo Nation convey so much about her work. In addition to high quality photographs of so many tapestries, we are also treated to glimpses of Begay's journals, which are full of sketches, descriptions, and yarn samples. There are also many photos of Begay at work at the loom, with Navajo Churro sheep, and with her family.
The essays and poems provide context that helps us better understand Begay's work. I very much enjoyed reading more about Begay's family history and how it intersects with the Diné weaving tradition (from shepherding to spinning, dyeing, and weaving), as well as global and contemporary influences on Begay's work. One of the last sections of the book shows 36 tapestries with Begay's notes about them - many (all?) of these notes appeared as exhibit labels in the museum, and it is helpful to have them to reference later.
I was fortunate to see the exhibit in person and intend to return again before it closes. I will be re-reading portions of this book, as well, especially as I practice tapestry weaving and seek to understand pieces that have such a strong presence.
If you're on the fence about ordering a copy, JUST DO IT!
This substantial hardcover book is 271 pages long. It includes essays by tapestry artist DY Begay, co-editors Cecile Ganteaume and Jennifer McLerran, and several other contributors, as well as an exhibition checklist of 48 works, a DY Begay chronology, and selected bibliography. The photography is spectacular - even without words, the images of the landscape around Begay's home of Tselani and the Navajo Nation convey so much about her work. In addition to high quality photographs of so many tapestries, we are also treated to glimpses of Begay's journals, which are full of sketches, descriptions, and yarn samples. There are also many photos of Begay at work at the loom, with Navajo Churro sheep, and with her family.
The essays and poems provide context that helps us better understand Begay's work. I very much enjoyed reading more about Begay's family history and how it intersects with the Diné weaving tradition (from shepherding to spinning, dyeing, and weaving), as well as global and contemporary influences on Begay's work. One of the last sections of the book shows 36 tapestries with Begay's notes about them - many (all?) of these notes appeared as exhibit labels in the museum, and it is helpful to have them to reference later.
I was fortunate to see the exhibit in person and intend to return again before it closes. I will be re-reading portions of this book, as well, especially as I practice tapestry weaving and seek to understand pieces that have such a strong presence.
If you're on the fence about ordering a copy, JUST DO IT!
Displaying 1 of 1 review