Second Binding 1964

Mierle Laderman Ukeles made this artwork, "Second Binding," with layers of fabric and paint. It's such a collision of textures, like something found, built, and broken down all at once. I imagine Ukeles building this up in the studio, maybe pinning, knotting, layering. It's a performative act of making, a dance with the materials. The paint is both on and within the fabric, staining it, giving it weight and depth. Look at that fleshy, pinkish-red, it's both tender and visceral. The contrasting silver foil interrupts the composition, adding a moment of reflection and rupture. Thinking about the artist's wider practice, known for its focus on labor and maintenance, this piece resonates with themes of care, repair, and transformation. It reminds me of Eva Hesse’s latex sculptures, these works share a similarly organic and tactile quality. These artists are talking to each other across generations, isn't it lovely? Painting embraces not knowing, opening up endless possibilities. "Second Binding" isn't about one thing, it’s a space for feeling and thinking.