From the mid-17th century to the present day, herding sheep, carding wool, spinning yarn, dyeing with native plants, and weaving on iconic upright looms have all been steps in the intricate process of Navajo blanket and rug making in the American Southwest. Beginning in the late 1800s, amateur and professional photographers documented the Diné (Navajo) weavers and their artwork, and the images they captured tell the stories of the artists, their homes, and the materials, techniques, and designs they used. Many postcards illustrate popular interest surrounding weaving as an indigenous art form, even as economic, social, and political realities influenced the craft. These historical pictures illuminate perceived traditional weaving practices. The authors’ accompanying narratives deepen the perspective and relate imagery to modern life.
Ann Lane Hedlund
Cultural anthropologist, writer, and retired curator and professor, Ann Lane Hedlund has dedicated her career to the study and preservation of Southwestern textiles and indigenous art forms. With a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and extensive experience in museum curation and textile research, Ann has held prominent positions at institutions such as the Arizona State Museum and the University of Arizona. Her work, which includes groundbreaking research and numerous publications, has earned her a reputation as an authority on Navajo weaving and Southwestern textile history. Even in retirement, Ann continues to contribute to the field through consultations, lectures, and scholarly activities.
