Camel Trapping c. 1930 - 1940

This camel trapping, made by an anonymous artist, is a complex and beautiful thing with its woven band, beaded tiers, and dangling pompons. The artist seems to approach their work as a process of building and layering, like a painter might. Look at the way the colored threads are carefully woven together, creating a rich texture. The beads, like individual brushstrokes, add another layer of depth and detail. Notice the pompons along the bottom, each a tiny explosion of color and texture. They evoke a sense of playfulness. Each beaded tier is different, both formally and metaphorically. It reminds me of Eva Hesse’s sculpture, how she elevated craft materials to high art. Both this piece, and her’s, embrace ambiguity and multiple interpretations over fixed meanings.