Telaio Del Meriggio 1970

Maria Lai made Telaio Del Meriggio out of thread, wood, and paint. These are everyday materials, traditionally associated with craft rather than high art. Lai has combined these elements to create a composition that is both abstract and evocative. Notice how the paint creates blocks of color and texture, while the thread is stretched across wooden frames, creating a sense of depth and dimension. The title translates to “Midday Loom,” and suggests the rhythm of weaving, but here it’s been freed from functionality. Lai was interested in how craft traditions, like weaving, could be used to explore themes of memory, identity, and place. In Sardinia, where she was from, weaving was traditionally a women’s activity, passed down through generations. By using these materials and techniques, Lai is connecting her work to this history, and challenging the traditional distinctions between art and craft. She’s inviting us to consider the labor, politics, and social context of the work. Lai’s innovative use of materials and her commitment to craft traditions is part of what makes her work so compelling.