This exhibition featured a selection of transitional Navajo weavings from the renowned Durango Collection®.
Navajo weaving has long been admired for its beauty, innovative designs, and the endurance of the art form. Although historic weavings have sold on the art market for thousands of dollars and acclaimed weavers have been able to name their price for award-winning pieces, many weavers have struggled to make a living from this time-consuming practice. Hours were spent not only in the weaving process but also in procuring and preparing woolen yarns. Unfortunately, the financial return for the time and resources required to prepare materials and complete an intricate weaving was often extremely low, even for the finest works.
Navajo weaving has frequently been misinterpreted as a part-time endeavor undertaken between tending to household responsibilities and raising children. In fact, particularly between the 1880s and the 1920s, weaving served as a major contributor to the Navajo economy and at times surpassed all other industries. Even in more recent years, weavers have continued to support entire families through their work.