Yoruba Boy's trousers c. 20th century

These boy's trousers were made in Yoruba, it's not known exactly when, or with what, but the process of making it is evident. The palette is restrained, only two shades of blue and the natural colour of the thread, but the dye work gives the material another layer of texture. The vertical stripes lead your eye from the waist down to the cuffs, but the eye is never fully at rest. Look closer at the lines. Do you see how they waver slightly? Some of the blue stripes are wider or darker than others. In places, you might be able to see slight imperfections where the dye has bled or faded. For me, it’s these little variations that speak of the hand, of the time and care involved in making these trousers. The small stitch work on the waist band especially, suggests a sense of intimacy between the maker and the wearer. The blue reminds me of Yves Klein, but the homemade quality of the trousers gives it a completely different feel. The Yoruba Boy's trousers aren’t just about one artist's vision or intention, but about the ongoing conversation that emerges when we encounter a beautiful object like this.