Annie Antone facts for kids

Annie Antone (born 1955) is a famous Native American artist. She is known for her amazing basket weaving skills. Annie is a member of the Tohono O'odham people from Gila Bend, Arizona.

About Annie Antone

Annie Antone was born in Tucson, Arizona in 1955. She learned the art of basket weaving from her mother, Irene Antone. Annie started weaving when she was 19 years old. She sold her very first basket for $10 and gave the money to her mother. Today, she lives on the Gila Bend Reservation.

Her Unique Basket Art

Annie Antone uses only natural materials for her baskets. She gathers these plants from her homeland, the Sonoran Desert. Some of these materials include yucca, devil's claw, and bear grass.

Traditional Techniques, Modern Designs

Annie uses old, traditional ways to make her coiled baskets. But her designs are completely new and special. She loves to create baskets with clear, strong pictures. These pictures often show realistic images. For example, she has woven panthers and even semi-trucks into her baskets.

One of her famous baskets shows a traditional flute player. Musical notes form a song around the player. This special piece is on display at the Casino Arizona. It is part of their Native American art collection. Aleta Rinlero, a curator there, said something important about Annie's work. She said, "She doesn't weave baskets, she weaves concepts." This means Annie's baskets tell stories and share ideas.

Inspiration for Her Art

Annie also gets ideas from ancient Hohokam pottery designs. The plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert also inspire her. To make her detailed designs, she first draws them carefully. This helps her plan before she starts weaving.

Exhibitions and Awards

Annie Antone's baskets have been shown all over the country. Her work has even been displayed at the British Museum. She has won many awards for her beautiful art. Some of these awards are from:

• The Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market
• Red Earth
• Gallup Ceremonial
• The O'odham Tash Rodeo and Fair
• The Santa Fe Indian Market

In 1992, she was first invited to show her baskets at the National Museum of Natural History. This museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Since then, the National Museum of the American Indian has invited her back many times.

See also

• List of Native American artists
• Visual arts by indigenous peoples of the Americas