Événement

Eye on Artist: Annette Fourbears

Join us for a talk by artist Annette Fourbears on influences that inspire her work, methods and materials. Reception with light food and drink will follow.

"I am of mixed Lenni Lenape (Delaware), Shawnee, Cherokee and European heritage. I was born in Kansas into a family of artists, writers and musicians. I studied art in California at Ventura College, Moorpark college and Golden Gate University and have continued to study various media throughout my life. I began weaving about 20 years ago with a group of California Native weavers in Ventura. When I retired and moved to the Northwest in 2004, I began lessons with Kathy Ervin of Sequim. I learned much about local materials and how to use them in weaving. I also wove with Northwest Native weavers who were very generous and patient in teaching me."

"While at a weaving event on the Lummi Reservation I met Jacque Rickard, a Walker River Paiute. We quickly became friends. She taught me the Paiute style of weaving a pine needle basket and covering it with peyote beadwork. Jacque makes traditional Paiute baskets her beadwork is beautiful and colorful, and typically uses geometric shapes. I wanted to put my own cultural stamp on the beaded baskets and thats how my story baskets were born."

"Aside from basketry, I am best known for my 17-foot sculpture, Wheel Totem Pole, which was commissioned by the City of Ventura, California. It stands at the entrance to Foster Park in that city."

"I have shown paintings and basketry in many galleries and shows including in California (Meisel Gallery in Santa Barbara, Simi Valley Cultural Center, and the Art Center in Ojai) and in Washington State (Ancestral Spirits in Port Townsend and Randolph Fredrick Gallery in Port Angeles). In 2004 I was one of the featured artists at the University of Californias Native Artists Exhibit. I have also done commissions for the National Park Service, and for a mythologist and collectors across the United States and Canada."

"I have been a member of Front Street Gallery, an artist co-op in Poulsbo, where my work has been shown for the past six years. I am also a member of Northwest Basket Weavers, Vi Phillips Basketry Guild and Northwest Native American Basketweavers. My studio is located on the property I share with my husband Joseph in Poulsbo, Washington where I raise and collect most of my materials."

Annette's solo exhibition, Weaving the Dream, is on view in the Steve and Harriet Davis Community Gallery at BIMA through February 5, 2017.