Skirt c. 20th century

This skirt at the Minneapolis Institute of Art presents a series of hand-painted gestures in ochre, black, pink and white. I can just imagine the anonymous artist's hand moving across the fabric, a rhythmic dance of brushstrokes, probably repeating the same mark again and again. The ochre background feels warm, grounding the skirt in earthy tones, while those black swirls seem to vibrate against the pink like a musical score. I feel the textile artist wanted to bring a sense of joy to the wearer. And I wonder how the maker felt as they built it up? It's like a conversation, each color responding to the one before, creating a surface that feels both patterned and organic. It reminds me that artists – no matter the medium – are always talking to each other across time, riffing on ideas, pushing boundaries, and making something new and beautiful.