About Gwaii Silk

Gwaii Silk is a collection of fine silk scarves created by artist Peter Sloan on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia.

For many years I have explored the forests, shorelines, and ecosystems of Haida Gwaii through photography. What began as a way of observing nature gradually evolved into a search for the patterns that connect living things—lichen branching across old cedar bark, seaweeds moving with the tides, mosses spreading across forest floors, and the intricate structures found throughout the coastal landscape.

The designs in the Rhizome Patterns collection are created from my original photographs. Through processes of reflection, symmetry, and transformation, fragments of natural forms become intricate compositions that reveal relationships often overlooked in everyday observation. Familiar textures and organisms are transformed into wearable works of art while still retaining their connection to the living world from which they originated.

The word "rhizome" refers to underground networks that connect living systems. These ideas of connection, resilience, and hidden relationships are central to this collection.

Each scarf is printed on fine silk twill and produced in limited quantities. The scarves are designed to be both elegant accessories and invitations to look more closely at the natural world. Every design carries a story rooted in the landscapes of Haida Gwaii and the remarkable forms that exist within them.

My hope is that these pieces encourage curiosity, reflection, and a deeper appreciation for the extraordinary patterns that surround us every day.

— Peter Sloan
Haida Gwaii, British Columbia