Historical Printed Textile c. 1939

This historical printed textile, made by Suzanne Roy, uses a mix of muted and warm tones in a patterned design. What strikes me is the way she marries historical motifs with an approach that feels, well, kinda modern. Looking closely, I see how the texture of the textile peeks through the layers of ink, adding a depth that’s almost like a conversation between the past and present. The colors aren't flat. The patterns evoke a sense of repeated history, like echoes of past designs, resonating in a new context. There's something really satisfying about the way the linear details create both form and texture. The overall effect is a piece that invites you to see it as a fragment of an ongoing narrative, or a conversation between artists like Roy and someone such as William Morris, who explored similar interests in pattern and design. It’s a reminder that art isn't just about making something new, but about the remix, the echo, and the reinterpretation.