Sheila Hicks

by Monique Lévi-Strauss

A biography and examination of the art of Sheila Hicks (b. 1934), known for her innovative and experimental weavings and sculptural textile art that incorporate distinctive colors, natural materials, and personal narratives. Born during the Great Depression in Hastings, Nebraska, Hicks spent much of her early life on the road, with her father seeking work where he found it. This 'fantastic migratory existence,' as she has described it, has come to define her six-decade career as an artist. Extensive experiences traveling, living, and working around the world continue to advance her exploration of textiles, the pliable and adaptable medium with which she is most closely associated. 'Textile is a universal language. In all of the cultures of the world, textile is a crucial and essential component,' Hicks has said. Hicks started weaving on a small backstrap loom and on a frame where she had planted nails to stretch the warp threads. She followed traditional Indian method, adding to her techniques with travels to Mexico and South America, learning from native weavers. The author of the book, a specialist in the history of textiles, is the wife of French anthropologist Levi-Strauss.

75 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974