Head scarf with Oya 1940 - 1950

This head scarf with Oya was made by an anonymous artist using textile. The fabric is dyed a wonderful raspberry colour, uneven in a way that suggests process, the movement of the hand. The oya, or needle lace trim, in bright yellow makes the whole thing sing. The embroidered flowers are simple, not overly laboured, and evoke a sense of care. The texture of the fabric is soft, and you can almost feel it against your skin. Think about the hours of work it took to make this, the slow, deliberate process of stitching each flower. Look closely at one of the embroidered sprigs; it's not perfect, but that's what makes it so special. It's a reminder that art is not about perfection, but about expression. The colours and motifs are so reminiscent of Matisse's cut-outs; a shared visual language that transcends time and place. What is art but a constant echo of ideas and forms?