Sources / The Black Mountains

The design was based on the jag idea and was developed for the Professional Weavers Network “Rivers, Metaphor of a Journey” exhibition.
In his work “People of the Black Mountains”, Raymond Williams described the Black Mountains thus: “See this layered sandstone in the short mountain grass. Place your right hand on it, palm downward. See where the summer sun rises and where it stands at noon. Direct your index finger midway between them. Spread your fingers, not widely. You now hold this place in your hand. …The six rivers rise in the plateau towards your wrist. ” The Black Mountains are both my mountains and the major sources of my river.
The blue was added in by hand with each pick of the weaving though I later realised that exactly the same structure and result could be obtained by sewing it in later.
Decoratively intended to be one sided. The two warp rug weave based on tabby with shaft switching and hand manipulation. Cotton stuffer warp, carpet wool weaving warp, black weft and detailing. Possibly carpet wool variegated and space over-dyed weft. Finish modified philippine edge with weaving warps darned back in. 900 x 1130 mm. Sold.