"The ancient Native American art of basket weaving is undergoing a revival. A new exhibit at the Autry National Center of the American West brings together some of the finest traditional and modern examples of the art.

Baskets made of reeds and grass are found throughout the Americas, says Steven Karr, curator of history and culture at the Autry National Center. They have a practical use as containers for food or household objects, while woven hats and socks are used to protect the body. Ornately woven baskets have a role in ceremonies, and are offered as gifts. Some baskets are simply made to be admired, and are valued as works of art. Karr says examples of all kinds from the native cultures of North America can be seen in this exhibit.

"And it encompasses cultures from the Northeast, from as far east as Maine, up to Alaska, to the southeast in Louisiana, to the southwest in California, and everywhere in between," said Steven Karr.

The exhibit is drawn from nearly 14,000 baskets in the collection of the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, which is part of the Autry center. It is the world's largest collection of Native American baskets. Some are centuries old, and they are shown alongside the work of modern basket weavers."

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Autry Center Exhibit Showcases Native American Basketry (Voice of America 11/18)

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