Basket c. 1920s - 1930s

This basket was crafted by Suzuki Gangansai, but when? That's kind of a mystery, but the beauty of this piece lies in how artmaking is process driven. Looking at it, you can almost feel the texture of the bamboo. It's smooth in some places, rough in others, but the artist's touch is evident in every weave. The color is warm, like aged wood, with variations that speak to the natural material. I'm drawn to the way the light filters through the open weave, creating a dance of shadows. The spaces between the bamboo strips are just as important as the strips themselves, creating a kind of visual rhythm. This piece reminds me a little of the sculptures of Ruth Asawa, who also worked with wire to create these incredible, airy forms. Just like Asawa, Gangansai shows us how beauty can be found in repetition, in the simple act of making. Ultimately, art is an ongoing conversation and the best works leave room for ambiguity.