Amanda Shopa

Film Photography & Fiber Arts

Introducing Grandfather and the Heron

Grandfather and the Heron is a piece of woven textile art. Strips of photographic paper, which show a grandfather standing near a stream looking at a heron in the water, are woven with olive green yarn, strips of silk ribbon in greens and blues, velvet ribbon in two shades of green, and metallic gold embroidery floss.
Grandfather and the Heron is a piece of woven textile art. Strips of photographic paper, which show a grandfather standing near a stream looking at a heron in the water, are woven with olive green yarn, strips of silk ribbon in greens and blues, velvet ribbon in two shades of green, and metallic gold embroidery floss.
Grandfather and the Heron, 2026; selenium and polysulfide toned gelatin silver print, crochet cotton, cotton yarn, handspun wool and nylon yarn, silk ribbon, velvet ribbon, metallic embroidery thread; 10⅝” h × 18¾” w (visible area), 20½” h × 28⅝” w (matted and framed)

I’m thrilled to share one of my newest pieces, Grandfather and the Heron (2026). This piece is made of various fibers (including all of that swampy green, handspun yarn) woven together with strips of toned photographic paper.

Grandfather and the Heron is a piece of woven textile art. Strips of photographic paper, which show a grandfather standing near a stream looking at a heron in the water, are woven with olive green yarn, strips of silk ribbon in greens and blues, velvet ribbon in two shades of green, and metallic gold embroidery floss.
Grandfather and the Heron (detail), 2026; selenium and polysulfide toned gelatin silver print, crochet cotton, cotton yarn, handspun wool and nylon yarn, silk ribbon, velvet ribbon, metallic embroidery thread; 10⅝” h × 18¾” w (visible area), 20½” h × 28⅝” w (matted and framed)

This piece of work started with experimentation that I did in October 2025, and uses some of the yarn I spun earlier this year. I also made the wooden picture frame that surrounds the piece.

Grandfather and the Heron is currently on exhibit at the Textile Center’s member show, A Common Thread, through October 10, 2026. It’s a fantastic show, and well worth seeing.

A poster for the Textile Center's 2026 member show. The poster shows artwork from Nancy Gehrig, Emily Chesick, Amanda Shopa, and Alice Markey
A Common Thread show poster, courtesy the Textile Center of Minnesota
Seven pieces of artwork, including wall hangings, quilts, tapestry weavings, and basketry works, are shown in a gallery setting.
Photo of A Common Thread at the Textile Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2026.

Amanda

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One response to “Introducing Grandfather and the Heron”

  1. Art Making and a Circular Economy – Amanda Shopa

    […] For several months now, I’ve been working on a new piece of art, Grandfather and the Heron. […]

    Reply

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