Scarf c. 1987

Here's a scarf, maker unknown, with dye on cloth, that's hanging out at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I’m really drawn to this scarf. It looks like it has been made with the simplest of means, with a limited color palette of red, white, and blue. I can imagine the maker carefully applying each color, patiently building up the design. The dark ground color makes the other hues pop out. It’s all symmetrical and very pleasing, like a minimalist quilt, or geometric abstract painting from the ‘70s. I wonder about the process behind it – the maker must have had a clear plan in mind, but still allowed for little imperfections and improvisations along the way. Did they make it for themselves, or someone else? Whoever they were, they were part of a larger conversation about art-making. It’s a reminder that artists are always riffing off each other, across time, and inspiring new directions in creativity. It shows how there’s always space for interpretation and surprise.