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MUHL DEBORA

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Debora is a self-taught basket artist currently residing in Emmaus PA. She employs a technique based on traditional coiling, in which coils of sweet grass are sewn together with waxed linen threads or artificial sinew. Her material of choice is sweet grass (hierochloe odorata) which is gathered, combed & sorted by Native Americans in various parts of this country as well as in Canada. The grasses are left in their natural state for their sweet aromas. Some of these coiled sculptures begin on a cut-out segment of gourd and they are all designed in the process as they are made. She began making traditional functional baskets in 1983, but the challenge of mastering my technique and materials has led her to create unique one-of-a-kind art pieces over the years.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Music was my first passion. It gave me a vehicle for expressing deep feelings and taught me the necessity of bringing discipline and clarity of vision to my work. Sculptural coiling allows me to create a kind of visual metaphor for the music of my life. Sweet grass, hierochloe odorata is also known as holy grass, vanilla grass or Seneca grass. It is hand gathered by Native Americans in various parts of this country and Canada, then sorted, combed & dries into small bundles. This odorous grass has been used historically in traditional basketry as well as for ceremonial purposes. It is often bundled with sage & cedar leaves and then smoldered in “smudging ceremonies” for the cleansing of one’s spirit. The grass releases natural oils as it dries that give off a sweet vanilla-like fragrance that will remain indefinitely in each sculptural basket.