Ceremonial Skirt 1875 - 1900

This is a Ceremonial Skirt made by the Kuba people, its date of creation is unknown. As you look at this woven textile, notice how the Kuba artists have used the grid as a fundamental structure. This is more than just decorative; it's a visual language. Each square or rectangle is filled with unique geometric patterns, creating a complex visual rhythm. The patterns aren’t random. They reflect the Kuba's worldview, their social structures, and their deep connection to the natural world. The linear framework emphasizes the horizontal, drawing your eye along the length of the skirt. The Kuba skirt also plays with positive and negative space, and challenges traditional notions of balance and symmetry. Through this interplay, the work embodies a sophisticated understanding of textile construction and visual communication. Each pattern functions as a sign within a larger semiotic system, encoding cultural values and beliefs. This piece remains open to multiple interpretations, depending on who is looking at it and the cultural codes they bring.