Private Affair I

The noted Chicago artist Claire Zeisler was a sculptor who, worked off the loom, handled fiber as others handle wood, metal or stone. In this work, a cascade of tightly knotted and wrapped strands of natural hemp falls into a whorl of loose ends that form the base. The simplicity of the natural hemp is enhanced by the flawless craftsmanship, which was inspired by Pre-Columbian textile techniques and the American Indian woven baskets Zeisler collected throughout her life.