Blanket Weaver c. 1900

Adam Clark Vroman made this photograph, entitled "Blanket Weaver," sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. Vroman, who was white, documented the lives and landscapes of the American Southwest. This image, printed on a playing card, depicts a Native American woman weaving a blanket at a traditional loom. During this period, Native Americans faced immense cultural disruption and forced assimilation. Vroman’s photographs offer a glimpse into their lives, but one must consider his position as an outsider looking in. The woman's gaze is averted, perhaps a subtle resistance to the photographer’s gaze. Weaving, a traditional craft, connects her to her cultural heritage and provides a means of survival. This photograph reminds us to consider the complexities of representation, the power dynamics inherent in the act of documentation, and the resilience of individuals who maintain their cultural practices amid systemic oppression.