Uuk kap ilgich 1920 - 1950

This striking textile work, "Uuk kap ilgich," was created by Kungrat with careful, repetitive stitches forming geometric and floral patterns in vivid reds, yellows, blues, and blacks. I imagine the maker, seated, carefully guiding the needle through the fabric, each stitch building up to a complete form, a kind of dance between intention and the material's resistance. It's so flat, like a painting, and so so material, like sculpture. Look at the way that yellow flower shape is off-center, almost vibrating with energy. The surrounding blocks feel like an attempt to frame or contain the wildness, each one a slightly different take on the same motif. It reminds me of the quilts made by the Gee’s Bend artists, where improvisation and variation are prized over perfect symmetry. There is something about the materiality of textiles that welcomes this kind of personal touch, a human embrace of imperfection. It's a conversation across time and cultures. It is a good idea.