Highlighting the Incredible Weaver Berlinda Nez-Barber
Master Weaver: Berlinda Nez
From: the Shiprock Area of the Navajo Nation
CLAN: “Where Water Meets Born for Tangle” Clan and “Bitter Water” Clan, Her Nali is Comanche Warrior.
Berlinda started Weaving in summer of 1990 when she was 14 years old. She was taught by her Mother, Grace Nez. Berlinda’s weavings have been in several exhibitions at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, AZ.
Berlinda is from the famous and talented Nez family. Her mother Grace and 7 sisters are all award winning and highly respected Master Weavers. Berlinda, “I have no favorite styles of weaving, they all turn out wonderful and incredibly beautiful. Weaving is hard and takes a lot of thought and time, you need time! But weaving is also a lot of fun!”
Berlinda says, “I think the most exciting part of my work is when a weaving is completed. You look at the work done and know that I did that! The rugs are beautiful, they always are. My mom, Grace Nez, was always my influence and my sister Lena too, because they did and do large rugs. My sister Helene is also an inspiration to me because she does sandpainting rugs. There are designs I would still like to weave, yes. I moved off the Navajo Reservation for 12 years and then moved back. I have a family of my own and hope to weave more now and see some of my designs come to life.”
Below are weavings by Berlinda that are currently available.
Teec Nos Pos Navajo Rug : Berlinda Nez Barber : Churro 21 : 72" x 120" (6' x 10') $ 30,000
This weaving is woven with wool dyed that used all natural dyes! This weaving has been tucked away in the Getzwiller personal collection, as many of the Nez pieces have, since it was finished in 1996. It is time for this piece to grace the home of a new owner.
Night Sky Yei be Chei Pictorial Navajo Weaving : Berlinda Nez Barber : Churro 227 : 48" x 105" (4' x 8'9") : $ 27,000
Berlinda started this weaving July 1998 and finished Jan 2000 : 1 1/2 years on the loom. It is woven so tightly, it is difficult to even run a needle through it. This weaving has been tucked away in the Getzwiller personal collection, as many of the Nez pieces have, since it was finished in 2000.
Teec Nos Pos / Red Mesa Navajo Rug : Berlinda Nez Barber : Churro 1716 : 30.5" x 45.5" (2'6.5" x 3'9.5") $ 5,000
2023 Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Award Winner!
It has been many years since we have had a rug from Berlinda. She completed this one in early 2023. SOLD
- Beth Barth
