Illumination

Shan Goshorn
2017
8” X 4.5” X 4.5”
Arches watercolor paper, silver and gold foil, acrylic paint, artificial sinew

Unlike most of my other work, this piece contains no text on the splints.

This basket was inspired by my daughter who suggested I consider making a piece with no words, utilizing metallic foil covered splints. We both were mesmerized with the ability of these splints to interact with light; using that concept to guide our ensuing conversation, I was led to create this piece.

I initially created the splints by applying silver and gold foil to sheets of archival paper and then cutting them into strips; from there, I wove in the usual manner to develop a Cherokee style, single-weave basket. I chose the traditional Cherokee pattern called “Lightning” to emphasize the brilliance of light and energy during an electrical storm.

I like to think of this piece as also illustrating that moment of inspiration we all experience- the clarity of a wonderful, new idea.