Sumac Flag

Sumac Flag was conceptualized and woven in the Creative Studios Lab at Artscape Daniels Launchpad in Toronto, August, 2023. While there I foraged plants for dyes including Sumac and Queen Anne’s Lace: both widely available and in some places literally growing through the cracks of cement and amongst rubble in the surrounding construction sites.

Sumac growing behind buildings on Ward's Island, Toronto, ON.

Queen Anne's Lace growing through construction site debris nearby Artscape Daniels Launchpad, Queen's Quay, Toronto, ON.

I dyed Canadian wool with the plants, then modified the results to achieve a minimal pallette of colours to weave with.

The dye studio at the former Creative Studios Textile Lab at Artscape Daniels Launchpad, Toronto, ON.

Canadian Briggs and Little Wool dyed with Sumac, Queen Anne's Lace, and Buckthorn. 

At this point, I had few in-person experiences with the TC2 digital Jacquard loom, but, wanted to push myself to explore new ways of working with the chunky wool wefts and fine cotton warp. I developed a pattern that used 3-shuttles to create varying shades in the imagery. I wove my image sideways to make the most of the width of the loom. I continued to sample my ideas until I landed on a variation I was pleased with, and continued weaving. 

Sampling my patterns on the TC2 Digital Jacquard Loom at Artscape Daniels Launchpad, Toronto, ON. 

Sumac Flag represents those 5 days in the studio for me: the joy of finding plant colour in the centre of an ever-expanding/changing/construction site filled city, dyeing in a beautifully efficient, dedicated studio, and, what would be my last time weaving at Artscape due to its unforeseen permanent closure later that month.  

Queen Anne's Lace growing beside a construction site. The CN tower visible in the background. 

As soon as I had the weaving off the loom I knew it had to be displayed so that both sides could be viewed: each a reflection of the other yet totally different! 

Thanks to the installation team at the AG for bringing my vision for this work to life with their bespoke hanging apparatus.

Sumac Flag installed at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, October 4th, 2024. 

Sumac Flag ultimately became a turning point in my Digital Jacquard weaving practice: It pushed me to develop new skills, and combine colours in 3-shuttle weaves, yet, the results inspired me to focus on highlighting plant colours sparingly as I continued in this vein of work. 

Thanks to the Artscape Daniels Launchpad Creative Studios Manager Helen Weston, and Studio technician Emily Moffet, for introducing, guiding and encouraging my learning and practice with Digital Jacquard Weaving.

I would like to thank and acknowledge the Ontario Arts Council and Government of Ontario for supporting my participation and learning at Artscape Daniels Launchpad.

Images courtesy of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. Photography by Chondon Photography.