Art

Jeremy Frey: Woven

The only book on award-winning Indigenous basket maker Jeremy Frey, accompanying his first major traveling exhibition.

Frey (Passamaquoddy) is one of the most respected Indigenous basket makers working today. Descended from a long line of basket makers, his work is known for its intricate design and exquisite artistry, which reflect both traditional techniques and his own creative vision.

This catalogue considers his work from a variety of perspectives. Secord, whom Frey credits for guiding his career as the founder of Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance, contributes a detailed biographical essay. DeSimone situates Frey’s work in the broader field of contemporary art, with a specific focus on the new video work he is making for the exhibition. Hoska focuses on Frey’s art in the broader context of Native basket and fiber arts. And Mize considers the ways in which his expanding practice registers ecological knowledge, time, and the impact of climate change.

About The Author

Jaime DeSimone is chief curator at the Farnsworth Art Museum. She was formerly the Robert and Elizabeth Nanovic Curator of Contemporary Art at the Portland Museum of Art, Maine.

Ramey Mize is assistant curator of American art at the Portland Museum of Art, Maine.

Theresa Secord (Penobscot) is an artist, basket maker, geologist, and activist from Maine.

Andrew James Hamilton is associate curator of arts of the Americas at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Dakota Hoska (Oglála Lakȟóta) is associate curator of native arts at the Denver Art Museum.

  • Publish Date: May 07, 2024
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Category: Art - Individual Artists - Monographs
  • Publisher: Rizzoli Electa
  • Trim Size: 9-1/2 x 12
  • Pages: 160
  • US Price: $55.00
  • CDN Price: $75.00
  • ISBN: 978-0-8478-9970-8

Reviews

"The first-ever major retrospective of a Wabanaki artist in a fine art museum in the United States, Jeremy Frey: Woven brings together current focus on fiber art and Indigenous artists (in Venice, Jefferey Gibson represents the U.S. and native Australian artist Archie Moore won La Biennale’s top prize, Golden Lion). The show features more than 50 baskets, made from natural materials like black ash, porcupine quills, and sweetgrass. Intricate and expressive, these works feature abstract patterns and representations of birds and animals. Frey’s practice is rooted in ancient tradition, with techniques passed from one generation to the next. A seventh-generation Passamaquoddy basket maker, Frey learned the techniques from his mother. The works on view range from traditional baskets to monumental vases, featuring meticulous porcupine quillwork." — ART NET

Author Bookshelf: Dakota Hoska