Winter/Lake Biwa

Winter/Lake Biwa is one of four works by Michael Rohde inspired by the seasons in Japan. It belongs to a larger group of weavings that Rohde calls “textile tapestries,” which are based on designs from other cultures with strong weaving traditions, such as Peruvian tunics and Diné (Navajo) blankets. This composition references the shape of a kimono, the T-shaped garment that is a symbol of Japanese identity. Rohde states that his practice explores the interaction of colors and geometry. He begins each new work by hand dyeing the wool yarns he uses for both the foundation of the weaving and the supplementary, or decorative, wefts.