Prairie Queen by Barbara Duzan

Prairie Queen combines beadwork and embroidery with sculptural form to create a three-dimensional textile work. The layering of beads and stitched elements across the sculptural surface generates visual density and tactile complexity. The title suggests reference to prairie landscape and plant life, while the dimensional support allows light to activate the textile surface from multiple viewpoints. Material choices—beads and embroidery—traditionally associated with decorative arts are here elevated through sculptural presentation. The work engages questions of form and ornamentation, positioning handcraft as a primary structural and aesthetic concern rather than supplementary gesture.