First Family, 2019/20

Miyuki and toho beads on stroud
13 1/8" x 15 1/4"

First Family is a series of ten circular beaded depictions of medicinal plants from what is currently known as north west Alberta, Canada. Beaded with size 15 miyuki and toho beads on stroud. These ten beaded pieces encapsulate the repetitive, time intensive, meditative practice that the artist utilizes to develop connections to the medicinal plants depicted. These plants have healed us (Indigenous peoples), nurtured us, and sustained us. Beading is an act of care, of giving time to, and getting to know; beading is spending time with your ancestors through the shared gesture of sewing and beading. We must care for these plants so they can continue their important work for future generations. Installed in The Botanical Turn at McIntosh Gallery, London, ON, 2021.

This work was made possible with support from Arts Nova Scotia.

photo credit: Steve Farmer

Prints of First Family - available at IOTA Institute

These prints are part of a series of 10 prints of First Family a series of ten circular beaded depictions of medicinal plants from what is now known as north west Alberta, Canada. Where the artist’s family originates. These prints are images of the beaded pieces that are made with size 15 miyuki and toho beads on stroud (a trade cloth, commonly used by Metis people). These prints show the intricate detail of the beading, a time intensive practice that the artist utilizes to draw connections to the plants depicted.