Hairwork: Weaving the Past and the Present
North House instructor Karen Keenan is bringing renewed attention to the historic craft of hairwork. In this article from MPR News, learn how this fascinating craft weaves together the past and the present.
Minnesota artist and North House instructor Karen Keenan is bringing renewed attention to a historic craft: hairwork, the practice of weaving human hair into jewelry and other decorative objects.
Once a meaningful form of remembrance, Keenan is carrying this little-known craft forward. Not only is she a working craftsperson herself, she’s also taught hairwork to over 100 students, and continues to teach at North House several times a year.
In this article from MPR News, learn how Keenan’s work connects the past to the present, and how hairwork offers a fascinating glimpse into history, craft, and identity.