Basket c. 20th century

This basket was made by Qwiqwidicciat, of the Makah people. Look at the way the natural fibers have been built up, stitch by tiny stitch, to create a surface that vibrates with possibility. The colors, muted but clear, speak of the earth and sea, and the maker’s vision. The basketry is so dense, it is a tactile experience even from here. Imagine the hours of work that went into its making, the careful arrangement of each element to form the whole. It's a physical process, this weaving, not unlike painting. The way the shapes are rendered – the birds, the whale – they’re not exact, but suggestive, evocative. What I love about this basket is its humble ambition. It's an object of everyday use, elevated to art through the maker's skill and vision. It reminds me of the work of Anni Albers, who also saw the potential for beauty and expression in the simplest of materials. It is a conversation that stretches across time and cultures, a testament to the enduring power of art to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.