Skirt c. late 20th century

This skirt was woven by Tai Lao. The skirt, its colours, and the horizontal blocks remind me of Agnes Martin's paintings. Imagine the maker seated at the loom, the rhythmic clack of the shuttle, and the slow, deliberate building up of the fabric. I see the hand of the weaver moving through the threads, guided by intuition, memory, and the traditions of her community. The skirt is divided into horizontal sections: the top is a pale cream; the middle section is a deep, rich burgundy; the bottom section is patterned with geometric motifs. It’s so beautiful, it feels like it could be from almost any time! But mostly I wonder about the person who wore it, and where she was going? Because isn't clothing like a painting that you wear on your body? I'm certain that the conversation between art and craft will never end!