Irene Clark

This article is about the Navajo weaver. For the American painter, see Irene V. Clark.

Irene Clark
Born
Irene Hardy

1934
Navajo Nation at Crystal, New Mexico, USA
NationalityNavajo
EducationSpecial Program for Navajos in Chilocco, Oklahoma
Known forweaving, educating others in traditional Navajo weaving and fiber arts
SpouseJimmy Clark Teesto
AwardsWomen's Caucus for Art Lifetime Achievement Award 1995
numerous first place awards from the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial, the Navajo Nation Fiar, and the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff

Irene Hardy Clark is a Navajo weaver. Her matrilineal clan is Tabaahi (water's edge people) and her patrilineal clan is Honagha nii (he walks around one people). Her technique and style is primarily self-taught, incorporating contemporary and traditional themes.[1]

Her mother, Glenebah Hardy, mentored her in traditional techniques. Clark processes the sheep's wool used in her weavings by washing, cleaning, carding and hand spinning it. She then dyes it with plant and lichen dyes, and uses an upright steel loom to create the weaving. Clark's work has been exhibited in museums, art galleries and has been featured as the subject of the 1991 film, Weavers, by DeSciose Productions, Denver.[2][3][4] Clark is a traditional teacher, having shared her knowledge of weaving and techniques to several generations.[5]

  1. ^ Wilkins, Teresa J. (2013). Patterns of Exchange: Navajo Weavers and Traders. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 9780806186627. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Annual Report". American Association of Museums, Museum News. 73 (1): 65–80. January–February 1994.
  3. ^ Bolz, Diane M. (1994). "The Enduring Art of Navajo Weaving". Smithsonian Magazine. 25 (4): 20.
  4. ^ Hedlund, Ann lane (2004). Navajo Weaving in the Late Twentieth Century: Kin, Community, and Collectors. Tucson: University of Arizona. ISBN 9780816524129. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  5. ^ Brown, David M. "Weaving New Traditions: Irene Clark, creator of Navajo rugs, hands down her art generation to generation" (PDF). Retrieved 18 January 2017.