Silvia Heyden: Tapestries

A wonderful exhibition of Silvia Heyden's work opened Tuesday night at the Betty Ray McCain Gallery  This gallery is part of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.  What a joy to see these tapestries in person.

The exhibition was curated by Lee Hansley and a talk was presented by Silvia's daughter, Francoise Heyden.

Francoise discusses Silvia's last two tapestries.

From Above

Francoise named this tapestry, she explained that Silvia loved to fly and especially enjoyed the view of the clouds from above.

A Weaverly Path

This was Silvia's last tapestry and was cut off the loom after her death by her family.  

Francoise lovingly talked about her mother sitting at the loom staring at this tapestry without the physical strength to engage the treadles and complete the weaving.  The detail below shows the butterflies of yarn and how close to completion it was.

Detail - A Weaverly Path

The opportunity to view this work up close after viewing book illustrations and digital photos was so meaningful to me.  I so admire the tapestries and Silvia's "weaverly"  view of the world.

Greek Wave

Berea Sunset

Detail - Berea Sunset

This detail of the bottom of one of the tapestries illustrates Silvia's feather weave technique.  I submitted my entries for the ATA's Beyond the Edge on Monday.  Silvia's work is a prime example of breaking the "rules" of tapestry and creating distinctive edges.

After the Storm

Eno in Motion

Francoise stressed her mother's emphasis on movement in tapestry.  Silvia said about her work "In my decades at the loom, I have never copied images, but rather have sought to let the patterns emerge organically as dictated by the process of weaving.  Instead of superimposing a form to be woven on the weft, I have always looked with my 'loomish' eyes to see what the weft and warp would allow me to execute."

I know I will be going to see these tapestries a few more times.  Let me know if you want to come along.  I have the documentary and Silvia's book but seeing the work up close brought tears to my eyes.  Thank you Silvia and family for this opportunity.