When I first wrote about self-taught artist Shannon Weber back in 2007 (remember my Empty Vessel blog?) I loved her work, color sense and her sensibility regarding life’s obstacles – still true almost five years later.
Private Parties
Weber uses chewed beaver sticks, reclaimed metal, willow, sea kelp, sea grass roots, dyes and more to create her unique over-sized baskets and assembled collages. Her motto? “If it bends, I use it!”
Watch the excellent video above to get a glimpse of Weber’s world
Life Guard Towers, beaver sticks, kelp bulbs, beach glass, waxed linen
Weaving stitching and tying her materials together, one could say she does it in a fashion that mimics the way she weaves the obstacles life throws at her into the tapestry of her own life.
From my 2007 post: “The common denominator in moving this talented weaver’s career ahead might be dark clouds, but don’t discount Weber’s soul-shifting ability to laugh out loud and jump into the fray. After all, ‘it started with a giggle.’”
Orbit, 57″ in circumference. It’s almost as wide as I am tall!
Well Traveled
Shannon Weber, photo via Register Guard
Shannon Weber’s website
The video on ArtBeat
My original post on The Empty Vessel
Oh my gosh. Shannon is my new art hero. Love it.
I thought you were going to write ‘If it bends, it’s funny, if it breaks, it’s not funny.’ from
‘Crimes and Misdemeanors.’
Anyway, these are really well done, and would be wonderful to see in person. I can’t imagine the impact that that large vessel would have sitting in front of me, but I bet it looks spectacular!
Thanks for these, DaMuse, I’ll have to watch for an exhibition of her work in my area.
What a wonderful and imaginative use of materials. They are spectacular, and it made me happy to see/enjoy them.
Wonderful work. Mutual friend: Nancy Bissonette, BC
Thank you for inspiration.