Stephanie Craig's installation, Hands of the Ancestors, at Linfield University merges functional art with cultural history, emphasizing the importance of reviving Indigenous Kalapuya heritage. As a member of the Grand Ronde Confederated Tribes, Craig passionately works to keep the lost art of basket-weaving alive. With a background in Native American studies and anthropology, she shares stories that reflect her life's journey and her family's experiences. Her artwork serves not only as a functional object but also as a narrative piece that embodies joy and tradition, fostering community and cultural continuity.
"Weaving is something that I love. I do it for my family. I do it for my kids. I do it for our tribe," Craig said.
"Growing up on the farm, I played with materials all the time and made things. But actual like weaving instruction was probably when I was 12 years old," she said.
Craig is a storyteller. If you sit with her and talk for a while she will tell you stories about her life and the lives of her family.
Her baskets and other art tell stories, too, capturing that joy in physical form.
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