Loriene Pearson, an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, is a talented emerging artist whose work in fiber arts pushes the boundaries of traditional Native American arts.  Following a career in the corporate world, and decades as a photographer, for the past few years Loriene has pursued her passion in the field of creative fiber arts.

She envisions her tactile artwork as a bridge between old and new. Drawing on traditional appliqué designs from Winnebago women’s clothing as guideposts, she uses mathematics and geometry to create reciprocity in her designs.  Loriene embroiders each piece of work by hand, instinctively selecting thread colors, while the stiches decide on their own where to be applied. 

Inspiration for her work comes from her relationship with the land, her family, and her Tribe.  Loriene is an avid reader who finds inspiration from Native American authors and poets. A large collection of photographs she has taken over the years, along with historical photos, often serve as the source of the patterns and designs used in her art.  Using these photographs as a reference, she draws the patterns for her textile works by hand before taking up the needle and thread.  The intention of her embroidery work is to merge contemporary threads and traditional ways to create new works of reciprocity and resilience, which can be seen in her works called MMIW: Break the Chain and I Am the Land.

This creation story is inspired by Robin Kimmerer’s “Braiding Sweetgrass”.  My abbreviated version is as follows: Sky Woman fell from the sky toward the dark water.  Geese broke her fall and held her with their soft feathers.  All the animals held a council to decide how to help her and turtle offered his back for her to stand on.  The council agreed she would need land to stand on, and mud was rumored to be deep under the water.  Many animals dove deep trying to bring mud up, but only lowly muskrat was successful even though it cost him his life.  Mud from muskrat’s fist was spread on turtles back, and Sky Woman danced in celebration casting the seeds she brought with her.  Sky Woman tended to the plants and there was plenty to eat for everyone.  Three sisters (corn, beans, and squash) grew in concert.
-- Loriene Pearson

I have hiked and backpacked thousands of miles in my lifetime.  I love hiking through the mountains of British Columbia.  I love the smell of an Alaskan ocean.  But my home is in Minnesota, where forests and grasslands collide, and asters and goldenrod explode from the prairies.
-- Loriene Pearson

Oh how beautifully and joyfully my aunties dance at pow wow time!
-- Loriene Pearson

The strong drum beat is fast, matching the rhythm of her young heart.
She is engulfed in color, movement, and the love of all her relations.
Holding tight to her father and her mother, she steps softly forward.
It is her first dance.
-- Loriene Pearson

It’s hard to walk into a forest without bluejays instantly sharing news of your supposed trespass.  They have sharp eyes and a sharp raucous voice.  The Winnebago name for bluejay is Jejec (jay-jaych).  This trickster is the symbolic storyteller of the Winnebago people.  Some of his stories may not be so nice.
-- Loriene Pearson

Native Winnebago appliqué patterns dancing on the moon.
First Quarter, Full Moon, Last Quarter, New Moon
Shine on!
-- Loriene Pearson

Inspired by the poetry of Layli Long Soldier
“Whereas”
-- Loriene Pearson