When Junkyard Finds Meet Iban Weaving in Anne Samat’s Monumental Tapestries
A garden rake, a plastic sword, and a bejeweled mask might seem like odd neighbors, but in Anne Samat’s hands, they become the building blocks of vibrant, totemic textiles. Drawing from her Malaysian roots and the ceremonial pua kumbu cloths of the Iban people, Samat transforms everyday castoffs into intricate, kaleidoscopic altars. Each piece is a layered tribute—family memories and personal history are woven together with salvaged treasures, from metal pipes to toy soldiers. Her monumental works often spill onto the floor, blurring the line between tapestry and sculpture. Samat’s practice is rooted in both tradition and reinvention: a rescued loom from her student days still anchors her process, while her recent move to New York’s Hudson Valley signals a new, introspective chapter. Through her art, Samat proves that beauty often hides in the overlooked, and that every discarded object can find new meaning in the right hands.
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