Kaija Sanelma Harris was a masterful weaver, an artist of profound intentionality, and a meticulous archivist of her own practice. Her retrospective, Warp & Weft, presented in collaboration between Remai Modern and the Saskatchewan Craft Council (SCC), is a deep dive into her artistic legacy. At a recent curator tour, visitors gained insight into Harris’s process, the significance of her archives, and the broader impact of her work.
Here are the top five takeaways from the tour, led by Michelle Jacques, Remai Modern’s Head of Exhibitions & Collections/Chief Curator, and Maia Stark and Steph Canning, curators from the SCC.
1. A Collaboration Years in the Making
This exhibition was not just the work of one institution but a partnership years in the making. While Remai Modern’s retrospective focuses on Harris’s artistic achievements, the Saskatchewan Craft Council’s portion highlights her process and technical innovations. The collaboration between curators Jacques, Canning, and Stark allowed for a multi-faceted exploration of Harris’s legacy. As Jacques noted, the project was deeply rooted in extensive research, made possible by Harris’s own detailed record-keeping and the dedicated work of archivists and curators over the years.
2. The Power of Archives in Understanding an Artist’s Intent
Harris was not just a meticulous weaver—she was a meticulous documenter. Her extensive archive, which included letters, sketches, invoices, and artist statements, provided curators with an intimate understanding of her artistic evolution. Unlike artists who use sketchbooks as emotional diaries, Harris’s records were methodical. They detailed her materials, inspirations, and techniques. These archives played a pivotal role in shaping the exhibition, as curators sought to honour her artistic vision and present a well-researched retrospective.
3. Blurring the Lines Between Art and Craft
One of the most intriguing revelations from the tour was the way Harris resisted categorization. Initially, curators assumed this exhibition would frame her work within the world of “capital C” Craft, given her medium. However, as they delved into her archives, it became clear that Harris saw no division between art and craft—she engaged in both with equal rigour. Her tapestries, particularly in The Counterpoint Series, exhibit a painterly approach, emphasizing colour theory and composition in ways comparable to artists working on canvas.
4. Monumental Works and Political Expression
Among the standout pieces in the exhibition at Saskatchewan Craft Council is Bringing in the New World Order, a tapestry that represents Harris’s most overt political statement. Featuring abstracted cityscapes, warplanes, and cryptic coded text, the piece was woven in response to the Gulf War. Harris’s work is often deeply connected to nature and personal experience, but this piece stands out as a bold commentary on global politics.
Another monumental work, Sun Ascending, originally commissioned by TD Bank, is a 24-panel tapestry that exemplifies Harris’s ability to balance painstaking detail with large-scale vision.
5. The Legacy of Prairie Light and Scandinavian Influence
Harris’s relationship with landscape played a significant role in her artistic journey. Originally from Finland, she found deep inspiration in Saskatchewan’s prairies. Her works often reflect an interplay between the landscapes of her childhood and the vast expanses of the Canadian plains. Curators noted how Harris once described her ideal home as having a front door opening onto the prairies and a back door leading to the landscapes of Finland. This duality is evident in her tapestries, where natural elements are abstracted into colour and form, capturing the feeling of a landscape rather than its literal representation.
The Warp & Weft retrospective is a testament to Harris’s legacy as an artist who was both deeply rooted in tradition and remarkably forward-thinking. Her ability to merge craft and fine art, her meticulous approach to both weaving and documentation, and her profound engagement with the landscapes around her make this exhibition a must-see.
Listen to the entire curator tour here:
Visit the Exhibition: Warp & Weft is currently on view until March 9 in the Marquee Gallery at Remai Modern.