Basket woven by Isabel Rorick, painted by Yahl'Aadas (Cori Savard)
“This basket features two painted variations of Mouse Woman. The first, in formline, appears where two ovoids meet. Tension giving way to a dimple or trineg (in this case, both). Mirrored by a forward-facing Mouse Woman on the opposite side. The imagery was inspired by a recent potlatch where a face painting representing Mouse Woman was adopted by the Skedans clan, a beautiful expression of living culture.
The painted design emerges through negative space, drawing focus not to the pigment but to the woven structure it surrounds. The palette remains quiet and intentional, allowing the texture and pattern of the weave to remain foremost. In our oral histories, Mouse Woman operates discreetly. She is present, guiding, but not overtaking.
Woven by a master whose lineage spans generations, the basket is more than a vessel. It is a complete work of art. Grounded in ancestral knowledge, rich with meaning long before any paint was applied. In this collaboration, the paint does not seek to claim or transform; it pays homage.
Like the two faces within the composition, this work reflects dialogue and exchange—between materials, between artists, and between generations. It invites recognition of what already holds beauty, and reflection on what it means to speak gently, listen fully, and create with care.”
