A lifelong artisan, multiple
degree-holder, teacher and museum administrator, Suzanne Warner's chosen craft for the past twenty years has been bead
weaving. She creates her own style, weaving without a pattern, allowing the colors to guide her as the piece comes to life.
"Beads, buttons, fabric and small treasures have always held a special fascination for me," she explains.
While living in Hawaii she learned the delicate art of shell weaving and later translated the skill of working with tiny shells to working
with European glass seed beads and Japanese Myuki Delica glass cylinder beads. Today she credits her teacher, a full-blood Hawaiian woman
from the island of Ni' ihau who spoke no English, as a major influence on her art. Suzanne's artistic inspiration comes "from the patterns, textures, and colors found in nature,"
she says. "The beaded amulet purses take from 40 to 200 hours to complete. I figure I have at least four heartbeats in every bead I use. I approach the work with the idea of making an heirloom, something that will be eternally provocative."
The Big Horn Galleries is proud to carry several unique pieces by Suzanne M. M. Warner. |