Debbie Barrett-Jones

As a weaver, I am able to see and be a part of the transformation of a white cone of yarn into a colorful piece of woven art. My work represents the tension between control and happenstance, controlled next to the uncontrolled. When I am at the loom, I find comfort in its structure and order, then working with paints and dyes, I try to have less structure, not overthinking ideas and expectations. 

Deconstructing is an act of looking back at the past to help discover how something was made. While doing this process I cannot help but think of past memories, not just my own pain, grief and loss but others as well. As I am pulling and acknowledging specific memories and feelings, this act is also an act of letting go. What comes next are feelings of acceptance, courage,  gratitude, joy and more love. Thread by thread, beat by beat of the loom, pulling one thread at a time and applying dye or paint to my work, with each process of creating a finished piece, I hope what I create inspires harmony, hope, healing, and contemplation.