Barber, Laverne

Laverne Barber Begay is one of the leading artists of the celebrated Burnham weaving tradition. The eldest daughter of master weaver Anna Mae Barber, she grew up in the remarkable family whose creativity helped shape the Burnham style of Navajo weaving. At the age of twelve, she learned to weave by watching her mother prepare the loom, then created rugs of her own. While grounded in the traditions of her family, Laverne quickly developed an artistic voice that embraced both innovation and technical excellence.

Laverne has never been content to weave the same rug over and over. Like her mother before her, she enjoys trying new ideas. One weaving may reflect the old Navajo classics, while the next may tell the story of horses running home at sunset or explore an entirely different design. You never quite know what she will bring through the gallery door, and that's part of what makes her work so much fun. Laverne has always been fascinated by the old Navajo blankets. That curiosity led her to experiment with historic cochineal and indigo dyes, bringing colors back into her work that most weavers haven't used for generations.

Laverne's artistry has earned recognition far beyond the Navajo Nation. She was commissioned by the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, New York, to create an American flag weaving for its permanent collection, and museum curators have traveled to her home to learn more about her work and the Burnham weaving tradition. Whether creating a historically inspired textile or a contemporary pictorial filled with horses, landscapes, and scenes of reservation life, Laverne approaches every weaving with exceptional craftsmanship and a willingness to explore new ideas. Her rugs celebrate both the enduring traditions of Navajo weaving and the creative spirit that continues to define the Burnham Weaving style.