Rachel Beckman » Weaver & Textile Designer

The Effects of Mummification on Sainthood

The Effects...2010, Woven Tencel and Linen, Wire, Pattern Paper, Embroidery

The assignment for my Collage and Sculptural Surfaces class was “skin.” Starting was a struggle; I momentarily forgot that I had the option of thinking like a weaver. Continuing with thoughts on relics and ritual, I decided to work with something I learned last semester regarding the practice of mummifying potential saints to preserve bodies for worship and fabricate a divine presence. Sometimes, the knowledge of mummification of an individual gets lost in history, other cases of natural mummification quickly deteriorate when the bodies are removed from their tombs and the conditions that made mummification possible in the first place. With this piece, I was interested in drape, shaping cloth, openness of weave, and layering of space.

Prayer Cloth (Tunic for a Saint)

Prayer Cloth (Tunic for a Saint), 2009, Handwoven Bamboo

This piece was my final project for my costume design class. I used all white bamboo in a Swedish lace draft to create one continuous piece of cloth that was custom made to fit my body. The neckline was woven with two shuttles shaping on either side and much of the weave was controlled to create more openness, particularly in the back. The bamboo drapes beautifully, enhancing the closeness to the body and the awareness of vulnerability. Like my other prayer cloths, this piece draws inspiration from cultural anthropology and studies in religious practices.

Photos by Bryan Connor

Recovered Relics

Recovered Relics, 2009, Handwoven Cloth/Pickup, Linen, Cotton, Bamboo, Tencel

These are a few small pieces I wove as part of my final project for the semester. Following my thematic interest in folktales and anthropology, these pieces serve as personal and false relics of unknown origin. They are pieces of cultural significance without a culture, precious without historical purpose.

Shrine Cloth

Shrine Cloth, 2009, Cotton, Bamboo, Tencel, Overshot Draft with Supplementary Weft

This is a stand-alone piece previously photographed for Shrine. Inspired by Magical Realism and the works of Gabriel Garcia-Marquez, the cloth serves as a meditation on the spirit world and the unknown. This piece was accompanied by a blog project for my Woven Imagery class, so you can read more about the project and the evolution of my thought here.

Four Little Remnants

Cotton, Cashmere

Cotton, Tencel, Linen

Cotton, Recycled Silk

Cotton, Cashmere

Some samples get a new life as lovely wall hangings. In addition to my bookmarks, these will also be on sale during MICA’s Annual Art Market.  December 9-12, 10am to 6pm in the Brown Center.