Astronomical Beadwork of Native Artist Margaret Nazon

Saturn by Native artist Margaret Nazon Bead art

Margaret Nazon, a Gwich’in artist from Tsiigehtchic in Canada’s Northwest Territories, creates intricate beadwork inspired by images from the Hubble Space Telescope. Her pieces depict galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial phenomena on black fabric backgrounds, blending traditional Indigenous beading techniques with contemporary astronomical imagery. Nazon incorporates materials like caribou bones and willow seeds, adding cultural significance to her work. Her art has been exhibited in venues such as the Glenbow Museum and the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre