The Allie Griffin Art Gallery has opened an exhibition celebrating the traditional medium of rug-hooking while illustrating the beauty, variety and originality of grain elevators. Featuring 37 works of art, the display includes the works of artists from Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The display was organized by the Heritage Rug Hookers of Saskatoon.
Rug hooking began as a North American tradition in the 1830s along the east coast. In its earliest years, rug hooking was a craft of poverty as rug makers were simply putting to use whatever materials were available. Hooked rugs were created on burlap from old grain and feed bags. Any-and-every scrap of fiber that was no longer usable as clothing was cut into strips and put into rugs. Yarn was not a fiber of choice, as it was far too precious and had to be saved for knitting and weaving. Instead, the tradition of recycling scraps of fabric, particularly old wool clothing, evolved.
In more recent decades, rug hookers have followed quilters in exploring new materials and new techniques. Innovation, combined with knowledge and respect for the past, has created an upsurge in the evolution of rug hooking. Today rug hooking or "mat making" has now achieved the status of a fine art.
The unique and inspiring display celebrating grain elevators is on until December 26 at the Allie Griffin Art Gallery, located at 45 Bison Avenue in Weyburn.
