Mat before 1934

This is a mat, made out of fiber, by Mrs. Preston King. Looking at this piece, I imagine the artist's hands moving methodically, weaving, pulling, and placing each strand with intention. The palette is simple: natural, earthy tones that speak to the raw materials at hand. The pattern repeats, like a mantra, creating a rhythm that's both grounding and hypnotic. I think about the artist, Mrs. King, and wonder what she was thinking as she worked. Was it a form of meditation, a way to connect with her ancestors, or simply a practical task? Maybe it's all of the above! The diamond pattern is so reminiscent of Agnes Martin's grid paintings. Weaving, like painting, is a process of layering, of building up a surface with care and attention. Each gesture, each mark, contributes to the overall composition. Like the paintings of Gee's Bend quilters, it is a piece that challenges our ideas around art and craft, labour and time.