Printed Textile (Historical) c. 1941

This historical textile, likely made by Arlene Perkins, presents a really interesting way of thinking about mark making, because with printed textiles, it's all about the repeatable gesture. Take a look at how the figures on the textile have been rendered, with very fine lines and subtle shading techniques. These marks shape our understanding, but also create a conceptual space. Notice how the figures are arranged around the central image, which seems to combine a classical temple with a landscape. For me, there’s a real conversation happening here between the artist and the wider culture, it's as if she is riffing on ideas. As an artist with an interest in other artists, that’s what catches my eye the most. It's all up for grabs, and that's how we move forward!