Miranda Dyson, Children’s Education Associate
Weaving is on our minds here at FWMoA as we take in the stunning, large-scale works on display by Dinh Q. Lê (1968-2024). Lê worked in many mediums throughout his career, including photography. Our exhibit, Weaving the Narrative, The works of Dinh Q Lê, focuses on his woven photographs that ask viewers to pause and find overlapped meaning.
The work shown above is from Lê’s Tapestry Series, touching on the importance of flowers in Vietnamese culture. Used in funerals and celebrations, different colored flowers convey specific meanings, with pink and white flowers representing vitality, compassion, or empathy.
Most of the works in this gallery focus on the Vietnam War (1955-1975) and the Cambodian Genocide (1975-1979). These images invite viewers into a space of reflection and of these events, visually depicting fractured memories and presentations of these historical events.
Weaving is typically thought of in relation to fiber arts and 3D mediums. Today, we will be drawing inspiration from Lê in weaving 2D images, and creating visual depth. Follow along to create your own woven piece of art!
You will use:
- Two pieces of paper, different colors and /or images
- Scissors
- A glue stick
Choose two pieces of paper of the same size. I’ve chosen one with an image, and another with a bold color.
Take the first paper and fold it in half, connecting the short edges.
Make vertical cuts starting from the bottom of your folded page. Cut almost all the way to the top, leaving the strips of paper connected at the top.
On your second page, cut horizontal lines all the way through. Keep the strips of paper in order so you can weave them accordingly.
Going over under, over under, weave your horizontal strips of paper through your vertically cut paper.
Alternate your weaving, making a checker board pattern between your two pages.
Your pattern will vary depending on how how thick/thin you’ve made your vertical and horizontal cuts.
Use a glue stick to attach the ends of the horizontal strips of paper to the edges of your vertically cut paper.
Now you have a woven image! Experiment with the your color choices, images, and widths to make several unique woven images.
To see Weaving the Narrative, The works of Dinh Q. Lê, visit FWMoA before the exhibit closes on September 28th, 2025.