Quilt c. 1938

Clyde Cheney made this quilt, or a picture of a quilt, at some point during his lifetime. It’s not so much about perfect lines or matching colors, but about a process of making that feels intimate and personal. The material quality here is key. It’s flat, of course, but the way the orange bleeds and softens, it’s so subtle and restrained. Look at the red squares, how they vary in tone. What do you make of the white geometric details? It’s like he’s playing with a set of rules, and then gently breaking them. And the patterns within the shapes, where do they come from? I’m reminded of the work of Ree Morton, another artist who took everyday materials and elevated them to something…other. Both artists seem to embrace the beauty in imperfection. Art isn't about answers; it's about the ongoing conversation. It invites us to see the world a little differently, to find beauty in unexpected places.