Wedding cloth c. mid 20th century

Editor: Right now, we're looking at a "Wedding cloth" made around the mid-20th century by a Yoruba artist. It’s a woven textile, mostly cotton, with a striped design. It feels really calming to look at, almost meditative with the simple repeated pattern. What do you see in this piece? Art Historian: I see a potent symbol of cultural identity and a reflection of the social fabric of Yoruba society. Think about it: a wedding cloth isn't just fabric, it's a statement. The process of creating this textile is imbued with cultural knowledge passed down through generations. This wasn't created in a vacuum. How do you think this object could influence the identity of the weaver, as a craftsperson and artist? Editor: That’s a cool question. I guess it connects them to their heritage, like they are actively participating in keeping the traditions alive? But it feels very functional, like clothing, I don’t know if “art” comes to mind first… Art Historian: Exactly! And that tension is at the heart of it. Often so-called functional art, like this textile, embodies incredibly sophisticated artistry. When you think about marriage in a society, there are social expectations, economic alliances, generational shifts… The textile is placed directly in that space. These textiles also often include hidden symbolic meanings woven into the designs. Editor: That's amazing! I never considered how something so simple could carry so much weight. It’s far more than just a piece of cloth, it's like a document. Art Historian: Precisely! And by examining these textiles we can gain a better understanding of how gender roles, status, and beliefs are negotiated and expressed within that culture. Understanding how seemingly simple art relates to critical ideas allows us to more thoughtfully observe art from different origins, especially when considering what has been traditionally deemed valuable or worthy of observation within western culture. Editor: I am seeing all this "functional" art with new eyes! Thanks!