Panel c. 20th century

This ‘Panel’ was made by an anonymous artist; its patterns are so pleasing! It’s like a cosmic blueprint, made of lines, circles, and jagged starbursts, all swimming in indigo. There’s a real sense of process in this textile, an emphasis on mark-making through what looks like dyeing or printing. I love the materiality of the panel, the way the dye settles into the fabric, creating this depth of tone. The patterns have a kind of off-kilter rhythm, like an echo, almost as if someone stuttered whilst painting. Look at the star shape near the centre, those uneven lines reaching out, vibrating with energy! It’s like a conversation between order and chaos. It reminds me of the work of Pacita Abad, her bold use of colour and pattern to tell her own story. This piece is an invitation, too, asking us to bring our own stories, to find our own meanings in its depths. It's a testament to the fact that art doesn't need a signature to speak volumes.