Coverlet 1935 - 1942

This coverlet was made by Cornelius Christoffels, it's a study really, about how the process of weaving makes pattern. You know, I'm really drawn to the way the colors interact. That muted red and the teal blue, that are sort of dancing together. It's not quite symmetrical, and there's something so appealing about that imperfection, the sense of human touch in the grid. I keep thinking about Agnes Martin, but also about the Gee's Bend quilters, who take simple shapes and make them sing. I think the beauty of this piece lies in its humility, its lack of pretension. I mean, it’s a study for a coverlet! It's not trying to be anything more than it is, but in that, it achieves something profound. It’s about the pure joy of making, the satisfaction of bringing something beautiful into the world. It reminds us that art isn't always about grand statements, but about the small, quiet moments that make up a life.