Bio: Mandy Pedigo is a Minneapolis-based artist whose creative journey intertwines with the rich tradition of textiles, delving deep into themes of time, identity, history, memory, and our intrinsic connections to land and nature. She layers the familiarity and warmth of traditional crafts into her contemporary art. Her pieces serve as reflections on the essence of home and the comfort found within these time-honored practices. At the heart of her artistic exploration are intimate abstracted aerial maps and miniature landscapes, exploring both familiar and uncharted places.

Description: In 2022, I migrated to the water-rich lands of Minnesota, a place that immediately felt like home. My great-grandparents’ immigration from Finland and Sweden, both countries abundant with lakes, echoes in my journey. Though much of their culture and language have faded, a lasting connection to nature remains as the sole cultural link passed down through generations. My family surname, which translates from Finnish as “the land endures,” guides my artistic exploration, bridging my family’s historic relationship with the land and the new connections I’ve formed in Minnesota. A significant influence on my latest work is the rag rug, a symbol deeply rooted in Nordic heritage and carried into the United States as a living tradition. Rag rugs are emblematic of resilience and resourcefulness, crafted from repurposed materials to create something both functional and beautiful. They evoke themes of domesticity and comfort, reflecting the warmth of home and the personal stories woven into everyday life. Traditionally made from worn clothing and household cloth, these rugs also symbolize memory and identity. The phrase “sweeping something under the rug” resonates with me, as it reflects how unresolved family traumas have obscured my family’s cultural identity—an identity I now seek to reclaim.

Regarding the Scandinavian Weavers Group: The study group has been an invaluable resource for connection, information, and historical knowledge. Whenever I hit a roadblock—whether it’s not knowing how to execute a technique, where to source materials, or even how to research a particular tradition—I know I can turn to the group. There’s always someone who either knows the answer or can point me in the right direction.

mandy.pedigo@gmail.com