United States, Big Sage Artisans / Frederick Black, Weaving

Frederick Black is a retired American Airlines pilot, a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Architecture, and was a registered Architect in New Mexico for 30 years. As a resident of New Mexico since 1969, he developed a keen interest and appreciation for Southwestern art and textiles. In 2003, while living in the high sage brush country near Taos, New Mexico, he learned to weave at Tierra Wools near Chama. His Taos County neighbor, Connie Taylor, had a flock of Navajo-Churro sheep, was the registrar for the Navajo-Churro Sheep Association, and did custom hand dyeing. He has used her wool ever since, weaving on a Rio Grande Walking Loom. His architectural and design background are reflected in his more contemporary pieces, while his love of the American Southwest is displayed in his more Native American and Hispanic weavings. To date, he has woven over 400 rugs, runners, rifle scabbards, and pillows. He is featured in the 2011 Andrea Heckman documentary film, "Woven Stories, Weaving Traditions of Northern New Mexico". His weavings were part of the set design for the HBO series "Succession" when the production company required textiles to cover walls at a filming location in Santa Fe.

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