Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

Growing, gathering, and weaving with plant fibers from the Pacific Northwest

  • About
    • Art Resume
    • Artist Statement – Land Acknowledgement
    • Teaching, Exhibits, Projects
  • Galleries
    • Functional Ribbed Work
    • Wall Pieces
    • Woven and Folded Bark
    • Sculptural Blends
    • Community
  • Workshops
  • Weaving Knowledge
    • Workshops
    • My Teachers
    • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact

Artist Statement – Land Acknowledgement

Land Acknowledgement 2020

I acknowledge that I reside on the traditional territory of the Suquamish Peoples, People of the Clear Salt Water, whose ancestors have lived here from time immemorial, preserving the land and waters that five generations of my own family have benefitted from. I express my deepest respect and gratitude for all indigenous friends and neighbors living today, particularly for the Suquamish Tribe and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways, and for healing and preserving this place for future generations.

Suquamish Remembers Chief Seattle

Melinda West – Northwest Plant-Fiber Artist

I’ve been fortunate to live with my family in the Pacific Northwest, where the natural beauty and wild places are close at hand. My work has sprouted from an interest in learning the traditional fiber technologies practiced by the First Peoples of this place. So I’ve been incredibly fortunate to study with many native and non-native weavers and artists over the past thirty years, the foremost being neighbor and friend, Ed Carriere, of the Suquamish Tribe.

Some of my basketry and art pieces are created as a way to explore, experiment, and acknowledge the beauty of the native plants I love to grow and gather. My more traditional work is made from the desire to understand and preserve ecological and cultural knowledge and techniques that recognize the contributions of local First Peoples communities, who have developed this art form I practice, and many other traditional art forms derived from the landscape. My Harvest baskets, fences and trellises are made for utility and function in the garden. And some of my work is created with whimsy, in an effort to invent interesting ways for recyclIng man-made, and/or, weedy invasive plants, keeping them out of the burn pile, or waste stream.

For me, the art of plant fiber weaving has become a doorway into the cultural and ecological knowledge of the place I live. It brings me joy to be part of the continuum of practicing this traditional art form. When I am invited to teach at environmental learning centers, or in traditional classrooms, I am always the student. I am listening, and I cherish the perspectives of each person I meet. The ancient and universal qualities of this art form; the wild places I experience as I gather the materials; and the inventive aspects of weaving; help me process life, to find meaning as I work with the generous plant-gifts of the Pacific Northwest landscape.

A Gatherers Creed

Gather with respect.

Take only what you can use.

Prune to encourage growth.

Replant.

m.j.west, 1989

Read More: Suquamish Basket Marsh

More About Melinda

  • Art Experience
  • Teaching Experience
  • Artist Statement – Land Acknowledgement

Subscribe

Connect with Melinda

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

About Melinda

Forty years ago, while sitting on the beach playing with my young children, I made my first basket out of a pile of willow trimmings someone had tossed there. It looked wildly made like a crazy bird’s nest. While being together with my two sons on a beautiful Pacific Northwest shoreline, this simple experience of crafting with the natural materials at hand kindled a passion for creating forms using plant fibers. I thank my family, my community, and all my teachers for cultivating this gift in me.
Read More
Melinda West and basket, Indianola WA

Copyright © 2025 Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry | Indianola | Washington | USA

Site by LND