Match safe whimsey 1911

This 'Match Safe Whimsey', from 1911, was made by an unknown Haudenosaunee artist. It's formed from hide, and glass beads, a meeting of natural and manufactured materials. Look at the way the beads cluster, and trail, and spiral. There's a real sense of movement, it's like the image is breathing. The green and white pops against the tan hide, which adds depth to the overall design. The beads are not just decoration, they are physically embedded in the hide. You can almost feel the artist’s hand, patiently placing each bead, one at a time. It makes me think about process, the labor involved, the time taken. I'm reminded of Ree Morton, and her way of working with found materials and mixing high and low art. Neither artist is afraid to be a little silly, and to explore the possibilities of their materials. Ultimately, art is a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas and practices. Pieces like this remind us that art can be functional, beautiful, and deeply personal, all at the same time.