Silvia Heyden (Swiss-American, 1927-2015), Harbor Scene Tapestry

Lot Details & Additional Photographs

Wool, linen, silk, cotton, woven in an abstract harbor scene with a row of boats rendered in magenta, grays, and cream, on a sea of gentle pink waves, finished with hanging bar and artist's label to verso.

58 x 47 1/2 inches

Born in Switzerland, Silvia's educational background was in art and music. After moving to Durham, North Carolina in 1966, Silvia focused primarily on weaving and over the next fifty years her work won numerous awards as she became a trailblazer and icon in the international weaving world with her intuitive sculptural approach to fiber art.

Though raised and taught in the Bauhaus tradition, Silvia's weavings burst free of its constraints, and was instead directly inspired by the natural world, including walks along the Eno River, the North Carolina beach, and trips to Africa. Another significant influence was music, and in her books, Silvia describes the connection between playing her violin and weaving.

Silvia Heyden remains an icon in the history of weaving as an art form, and her work can be found in collections across the world. Earlier this year, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke held a retrospective of Silvia Heyden's work entitled, "Weaving Notes & Nature."

A few pulled threads; otherwise good estate condition.