Indigenous
New England
"We're Still Here"
Online Exhibit:
"We're Still Here"
Online Exhibit
Contemporary Indigenous New England Artists
Judy Dow
Judy Dow is and Abenaki basketmaker from Vermont. "I am an Abenaki basketmaker. It is important to me that the basketry skills and culture of my ancestors live on. It is a part of our culture, heritage and life to make baskets. For this reason I see myself as a basketmaker and not an artist. I do not make only traditional ash and sweet grass baskets, because this is only one small part of the history of Northeastern basketry. Going back in time Northeastern baskets included one-piece containers of birch, pine, tulip poplar and elm, as well as twined, coiled and plated baskets of cedar, ash, willow, red osier, basswood and various grasses. I want to keep alive the techniques and materials that were used in the past. I want to keep alive the gifts of technology we received from our ancestors.
"My work is a blend of traditional materials and techniques with modern adaptations. For instance I frequently make baskets woven from ash and cedar in a traditional way but on occasion I may make the same basket out of used pizza boxes or other recyclable material. Not only do I change the materials I use, often I substitute the old tools with modern adaptations. After I broke my only wooden gage I was forced to find a way to cut my materials into strips. After trying several things I decided the best alternative was to use a pasta cutter. By adapting tools and materials the basketry techniques will live on and then so will our heritage.
"I am very interested in the effects my harvesting has on the environment. I want to harvest my materials in the time honored way and encourage new growth for future generations. I have worked with the United States Dept. of Forestry and with the University of Vermont Forestry Dept. on occasion. These people have allowed me to harvest the materials I need for my baskets while they monitor the effects on the forest that I collect in. I have established a connection with the wood chip generating plant in Burlington to harvest willow and red osier from their fields. This new growth will generate more plants for my use as well as increase the production of willow for the chipping plant. I feel that only through education and co-operation with landowners will these traditional basketry materials be available for use by basketmakers.
"I think that the techniques, style and the materials I use are a reflection on the past history of the Abenaki people. By adapting to social, political and environmental changes I am following in the footsteps of my ancestors. The creation of fancy baskets was an adaptation that filled a need for survival for the Abenaki people at the turn of the last century. Using new and different materials is how I see Abenaki basketry meeting the needs of the culture in this new century. Many Abenaki basketmakers have become elders but through adaptation and education their knowledge and Abenaki basketry will continue to survive as it always done. Tradition is Adaptation and Adaptation is Tradition."
Judy Dow contact info: 802-879-6155
E-mail Judy Dow
273 Old Stage Road, Essex Jct., VT 05452
