Lorraine Roy: Textile Art

"The word gagaw means love. It is the love of the Creator – the one who made all peoples. It is the universal principle of how the tribes work, and it is how the wisdom of the ancestors moves to the current generation. We believe that the past is the foundation of tomorrow; the ancient cultures are our guidance.

Through gagaw we are connected to all ancestral spirits and to the rainforest. Gagaw is the language of the rainforest, of the running water, of the air and of the clouds. Every morning, new life comes through gagaw. When that wisdom is lost, how can we communicate with Mother Earth? We have to show gagaw to nature."

This piece shows the cross section of a tree and its rings, which hold the wisdom of the past. Its centre is circled with red for its hearbeat. Around the circle is the forest which represents new life, drawing water into its roots. And the air and clouds hover over the trees, all connected to the whole.

For the full description, along with pronunciation, map and short video, click HERE.