Shannon Weber’s art has resonated powerfully and personally with me since the first time I saw it at least fifteen years ago. I felt an immediate, eerie sense of connection and a feeling that her work could guide me to a new place on my own creative path.
In 2018, I got to work with Shannon for five days as part of a Fiber Artists of San Antonio intensive workshop at the Southwest School of Art. I wrote about it in this SHARDS post.
Recently, I asked Shannon if she would make a work for me, a commission piece of one of her boats that are so magically symbolic. During the time she worked on it, we talked back and forth about life and art and uncertainties. I knew that the piece she was making would be a guide for me and an inspiration.
Yesterday, the piece arrived from Oregon, packed meticulously in its own huge box, cradled with layers and layers of protective wrapping. The title of the piece is Compass. It could not be more perfect. And I could not be more grateful for this protective, symbolic vessel.
Shannon Weber, Compass, 2022
In a handwritten note, Shannon described the provenance of the pieces in the assemblage – “small beads, stones, and fossil from my magic beads gathered last year, bone harvested off side of road on forest drive, rusted washers found on construction site, nails from junk shop, vintage burn papers, reed, handmade papers, waxed linen, shell beads, feather.” And then she wrote, “I think it will fit in your nest.”
Shannon Weber, Compass (detail), 2022
How is it that a piece of art can affect us so completely? Shannon says that the title, Compass, is for her all about direction. For me it recalls the saying about adjusting one’s sails when you can’t change the wind.
Shannon Weber, Compass (detail) 2022
That red thread that sparkles in a few places is pure Shannon symbolism – throughout history and across philosophies, red thread has been worn for protection, faith, good luck, strength, and connection. It’s a symbol of being loved, supported and, feeling safe and secure. It’s a prompt to stay positive while facing any adversity.
Every element in Shannon’s work is meaningful, partly because she allows the collected material to direct how the work is going to evolve. Every element collected has a history or a mythology of location, age, or place that is allowed to shapeshift as the materials and techniques are mixed together to the form the structure of the designs.
Her work has attracted the attention of curators of Fiber and Fine Craft who have included her work in their lectures for her skill and methods in design, both nationally and internationally. She has been asked to speak on her methods and use of materials, and she has been featured in numerous publications worldwide.
I still need to look at Compass a lot more to discover more layers of meaning, but to be able to hold one of Shannon’s works in my hands and feel the connection is pretty awesome. When I get stuck, or get discouraged, or wonder why we make art, I’m going to have this wonderful vessel to guide me out of the rough spots.
The power of Shannon’s work comes, I think, in part from her ethical authenticity. Here is how she describes her process (from an article in Hand Eye Magazine):
By applying ancient techniques and transitioning to contemporary designs, I can achieve my desired effects by using a mixture of repetitive layers, weaving, stitching, and cold connections along with painting and encaustic. These multiple applications make it very easy to blend metal, wire, rubber, and organic materials of all kinds. Each layer of material mixed with different techniques begins to build structure that gives the objects and vessels their form and opens doors for detailed surface design embellishments of all kinds. While the form is taking shape, I consider it an amulet or talisman to be displayed in a personal space.
Thank you, Shannon, for this talisman – and for the lessons you have taught me about working with what I have and to be open to experimenting with almost any material to see what becomes of it. We all need a Compass, and you’ve provided one for me!
Thank you for sharing this amazing creation and the story and explanation of it’s contents and intention. You are fortunate to own it.
I really am – it’s a treasure. Thanks, Eva.
WOW! Amazing vessel – and such a wonderful description you gave. I love the red thread meaning you gave. Thanks!
Thanks, Monika – hugs!
Wonderful piece of art with so many layers to explore!
I keep finding new things to see 🙂
Shannon is wonderful and so is her art! ,I will never forget our
First conversation before we actually met. We talked for over an hour about what was important to us and our art. She is an amazing artist and you have a beautiful piece of her art.
You and she have so much in common, Linda – we need to get her back here for a visit.
Beautiful! I love all the different meanings. How large is the piece?
It’s about 18″ long without the threads – 🙂
Thanks for sharing, I always enjoy seeing Shannon creative artwork. So talented. Her visual texture is off the chart!
Shannon is amazing – you are so right, Dennis.
Such. Beautiful words about a beautiful work. Shannon’s work spoke straight to my soul the first time I saw it. What a Blessing you have o enjoy this special piece.
I am fortunate indeed!
What a beautiful and meaningful piece of art and love. Thanks for sharing it with me.
Thanks, Leslie – it’s inspiring, for sure!
18 inches … twice the size I would have guessed … the better to see the details that you have depicted here … it would be a happy day if/when Shannon returns … I’d love to take her workshop were it to be offered again
Hello
What wonderful kind words, I love teaching, I loved the San Antonio workshop, it’s always great to give students the options of the kinds of materials they may fear, never considered, disregard as being weird.
Giggle
I have been at this so long and started this way, I love to push thoughts and materials. The materials do all the driving and talking I am just the vehicle to get them where they want to go and can’t get enough of sharing that experience.
Shannon, this is why your work is so grounded and authentic – you use what you have and what you find and transform it into a rich and eloquent visual statement.
Lyn you honor me, I feel very blessed. I am here sitting here in the looking out the window in the early morning light, it’s been raining, hailing, snowing but not sticking for days which is not normal for this time of year, But there are the morning stars today-
Thank You everyone for your very kind words-
To you Lyn much love
❤️
And back to you, dear friend.
Lyn this is truely a beautiful work of art. I am “selfishly ” wanting for myself. Does she have a web site, I would love to have it if she does.
Thanks,
Hugs, Ann Marlar
Ann
Hello
Email: shannonweber1@hotmail.com
Website: I don’t sell work online but you can have peek- all work is one-of-a-.kind original designs, I also don’t mass produce work. The work is driven by collected materials.
http://www.shannonweber.com
Wow, such a wonderful piece by your friend and fellow artist Shannon. I love the many objects she incorporates, and the symbolism (especially the red thread).
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Becky – you see the connections!
Love this article and very happy you now own your very inspirational Shannon Weber piece of art
Congratulations Bosha Struve
❤️
Bosha, you and I have always loved Shannon’s work –
Even though this post was from 2022 it still holds true in 2024…maybe even more so! The authentic free spirited, self directed artists are truly treasure me that become more so over time! You and Shannon and Michelle Belto all fit into that category
What a beautiful piece, so original and filled with lots of meaning
I agree, Vanessa – ♥