Margaret Roach Wheeler
Forest Dweller- The Bear
With headdress
Handwoven silk and wool, hand-cut reversible with oversize vest trimmed in Ultrasuede
Handwoven silk and wool, hand-cut reversible with oversize vest trimmed in Ultrasuede
Copyright The Artist
Further images
The bear spirit is a sign of distinction and bravery. As a child, we lived within twenty miles of the Glacier National Park entrance outside Browning, Montana. My father was...
The bear spirit is a sign of distinction and bravery. As a child, we lived within twenty miles of the Glacier National Park entrance outside Browning, Montana. My father was working at Cut Bank Indian School and our family often picnicked in the park on weekends. We had great respect for the bears who often appeared out of the pine forests. One old female grizzly was my favorite.
We called her Blondie; and when she had cubs following her around, it was a delight. I also remember the terror of running to the car when they appeared. We always watched from afar!
—Margaret Roach Wheeler
The headdress features a handcrafted silver/copper palate with antler teeth by Maria Mayo. Alice McKee constructed Wheeler’s handwoven fabric with goose feathers. "Forest Dweller—The Bear" was created for a fashion show in Portland, Oregon, mounted for "Convergence," the Handweavers Guild of America biennial.
We called her Blondie; and when she had cubs following her around, it was a delight. I also remember the terror of running to the car when they appeared. We always watched from afar!
—Margaret Roach Wheeler
The headdress features a handcrafted silver/copper palate with antler teeth by Maria Mayo. Alice McKee constructed Wheeler’s handwoven fabric with goose feathers. "Forest Dweller—The Bear" was created for a fashion show in Portland, Oregon, mounted for "Convergence," the Handweavers Guild of America biennial.