Border for head covering c. mid 20th century

This vibrant textile, called Border for head covering, was made by the artist Kanbi. Look at how the geometric shapes stack, one on top of the other, circles meeting squares. I imagine Kanbi shifting colors and patterns across the red ground—improvising, like a painter, to find the right balance. I feel for the artist, picking up all those little mirrors and placing them just so! What were they thinking when they added each reflective circle? Maybe they were considering how light could catch on them as the wearer moved. The material choices here really shape our experience; they contribute to the intellectual and emotional energy of the work. I am drawn to the way the artist has contrasted the sharp triangles on the blue border with the curved shapes throughout the design. For me, this piece is in conversation with other works of art that embrace both decoration and utility. What do you think?