Since the Spring of 2022, Rhiannon Skye Tafoya has immersed herself in the basketry culture of her Eastern Band Cherokee community, creating significant relationships with multi-generational basketmakers as well as the living environment that surrounds her. Relational Sentience is about her relationship to four specific natural dyes that are obtained from the roots of the bloodroot and yellowroot plants and the walnut and butternut trees. Each of these dyes is used for white oak, honeysuckle vine, and rivercane basketry, and they provide rich colors that enhance the designs and patterns of the basket. Each page in the accordion fold provides an illustration and a personalized love note to each of the four natural relatives that offer colors to the baskets and make them what they are. 

This book was created through a production grant funded by the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. Sales copies are available from the artist—email [email protected] for more information.

Out of print.