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This large-scale tapestry features traditional geometric Coast Salish weaving patterns passed down for generations, but also reflects the artist’s desire to evolve her craft and visual language into something uniquely contemporary and her own. Known for her extraordinary technical skill, this hand-woven artwork is the largest piece ever created by the artist. It’s pattern and colors are drawn from stylistic interpretations of the importance of water in Coast Salish culture.Label
“Ancestral Reflection: The Spirit Within" by Danielle Morsette is a legacy weaving blending traditional Coast Salish patterns with contemporary expression. It's a testament to her resilience, personal growth, and ancestral heritage.
To date this weaving far exceeds any of her other weavings. Created on one of the largest Coast Salish looms known to date, the weaving draws inspiration from water, a crucial element in Coast Salish culture. Morsette's journey in creating this contemporary weaving is a deeply personal one, marked by moments of self-doubt and inner darkness. However, through her dedication and determination, she emerges into the light, embracing her gift and channeling her weaver spirit into every stitch.
The transition from darkness to light in the composition symbolizes hardship, resilience, hope and the continuum of culture. Every stitch of this weaving served as a moving prayer to honor the past, present and future. As a mirrored image of her ancestors' traditions, the piece embodies the timeless connection between heritage and contemporary expression.
The design is symmetrical. That is the mirror image. I see one side as the present and the other an ancestral connection.
As viewers engage with the artwork, they're encouraged to interpret the design as they view it and reflect on their own inner spirit and ancestral connections.
“I am a reflection of my ancestors. It has been an absolute honor and privilege to act as a vessel, a conduit through which ancestral knowledge flows through my work.
This is a sacred gift that I have been entrusted to carry forward. What I hope people see and feel in this weaving is the love and good feelings I poured into this work.”
Morsette's legacy lies not just in her art but in the spirit she infuses into it—a legacy of resilience and gratitude passed down through generations.