artist statement

q̓emxwéqsem is a collection of work that is centered around the act of hand-stitching. From beadwork to basketry, each artwork requires time and consideration from the maker, set in its unwillingness to be rushed. The labour becomes a reflection of the care that is taken with each stitch, and the repetition becomes a ceremony within itself.

Indigenous people have sewn by hand for many millennia. Everyday items such as clothing and baskets were meticulously adorned with artwork, giving special attention to what can otherwise be seen as mundane objects. Despite the introduction of new technologies, the tradition of handmade work continues to be passed down through each generation. Steel’s continuation of this labor connects her to her ancestors through their shared knowledge and careful work.

The primary teaching that Steel carries with her is the importance of being present and intentional while she is working. It is believed that the energy and emotions of the maker are stitched into the piece that they are creating, so it is important to work with a clear mind and good intentions. This is a way to show that you care for the person who will be receiving and using your work. This act cannot be replicated by an automated process, because this reciprocity that connects the maker to the receiver is distinctly human.

Steel’s work is centered around care and belonging, focussing on the ways that it is rooted in the land and the people that she comes from. Each object is imbued with the memories and stories that ground her in her home, and remind her of the responsibility that she has to it. These shared experiences are documented by her stitches, allowing her work to exist as a living memory.