Wednesday Wonder: Weaver Silvia Heyden

Walking along the Eno River, I am fascinated watching

basic tapestry patterns become fluid in the water. . . As I walk

. . . I visualize particular combinations of color and texture

to bring my tapestries to life so they will continue to flow

when hung on the wall.

~ Silvia Heyden

Swiss-born tapestry weaver Silvia Heyden (b. 1927) is the subject of Kenny Dalsheimer's beautiful, award-winning documentary A Weaverly Path, the trailer for which is below. The film, which follows the artist over a year, allows us an intimate look behind Heyden's "weaver's eyes", into her artistic philosophy and inspiration and creative process, from design to choice of yarns to weaving and finishing. Heyden, who calls the Eno River in Durham, North Carolian, her "partner", exemplifies how deep observation of surroundings becomes internalized and released through art.

Heyden, who has woven more than 800 tapestries over the last 50 years, is the author of The Making of Modern Tapestry, My Journey of Discovery*. 

A Weaverly Path Trailer from Kenny Dalsheimer on Vimeo.

The 62-minute film has been released on DVD (purchase information).

Also Of Interest

* Check with Fine Fiber Press for availability.

American Tapestry Alliance (Images of a selection of Heyden's gorgeous weavings are included in this excellent review of the film.)

Elizabeth Shestak, "Eno Inspires Local Weaver's Fabric Art", The Durham News, April 20, 2011

Podcast with Heyden and Dalsheimer (2011)

Profile of Silvia Heyden and Images of Tapestries

Silvia Heyden at Tyndall Galleries, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Southern Documentary Fund

Studies in Western Tapestry