Judi Gay

Judi Gay is a Saori weaver and instructor in her hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She was introduced to Saori weaving in 2012 and was immediately drawn to its history and philosophy of individuality and inclusion. The Saori way of weaving without intention or restriction opened the door for Judi’s personal style to emerge and develop, ranging from monochromatic and subdued pieces to wildly textured and brightly coloured work.

Since a Saori weaver weaves what is in his or her heart, Judi’s pieces vary depending on her mood and what is happening in her world as she weaves. As she observes, “I am powerless as the muse descends, and I have little or no conscious control over the composition of the final cloth”.

Learning to knit as a Brownie, Judi has always been a maker. Largely self-taught as a fibre artist, she continues to take advantage of the “no secrets- we learn from each other and the whole group” tenet of Saori philosophy by traveling to other studios and sharing Saori ideas and explorations with others. Of the many avenues that Judi has traveled with Saori, sharing with others and helping them find their own paths to creativity is the most important to her.

Judi’s weaving has been shown in exhibitions in Canada and the United States, and pieces are in private collections internationally and here in Canada. She is a registered Saori instructor and studio owner. She is a member of the Saskatoon Spinners and Weavers Guild and a juried member of the Saskatchewan Craft Council.