Back Apron (Arkalik) c. 1940

This Arkalik, or back apron, was made by an anonymous artist, and I'm thinking about their patient work. The black cloth is striped with thin white lines, a decision that feels both simple and striking. But the thing that grabs me is the border. There are rows of tiny, intricate patterns, and then this amazing fringe of deep red, almost burgundy, tassels. I can imagine the texture of that fringe, the way it would move and sway. It's a beautiful contrast to the strict geometry of the stripes. The apron is a real testament to the power of detail, to the way that small, careful gestures can add up to something truly special. It reminds me a little of the work of Ree Morton, who took everyday objects and transformed them through color and texture. Like Morton, the artist is showing us how beauty can be found in the most unexpected places, and maybe, that art is about more than just what we see, but what we feel.