Shaker Textile c. 1936

This Shaker Textile was made by Helen E. Gilman; though the exact date is unknown, the piece presents an intriguing approach to colour and form. It's like watching someone work through an idea, where the process is laid bare. There's something very tactile about this textile. The texture is built up with dense horizontal stripes of red and green, each one distinct, giving the impression of a slightly uneven surface. The green border to the left emphasizes the central rectangle. Up close, you can almost feel the give and take of each individual mark, each decision contributing to the overall effect. Gilman’s Shaker Textile reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, who also uses grids and repetition to explore the subtle variations within a structured format. But where Martin’s work is often serene, Gilman’s has a more raw, handmade quality. It's a reminder that art is not always about perfection, but about the messy, beautiful process of discovery.