Apron c. 20th century

This is a Lisu apron, and it was made with cotton and beads. I imagine the act of stitching this apron, the needle going in and out, in and out, over and over again, slowly building up the surface of the cloth. I love the way the Lisu artist didn't quite match up the patterns, or make everything symmetrical. It's not perfect, but it's real. You can see the hand of the maker, and that makes it feel so human. The shapes are so vibrant and joyful. I imagine the artist carefully selecting each piece of fabric, considering how the colors and patterns would play off each other. Maybe she was singing or chatting with friends as she worked, imbuing the apron with her energy and spirit. It reminds me of a Cy Twombly painting, the way it embraces chance and imperfection. Artists throughout time inspire each other, having an ongoing conversation. It's a conversation without clear answers, without a clear script, and that's what makes it so exciting.