Sampler c. 1938

This sampler was stitched by Lovina Swine, aged 10 years, in 1838. It’s made with needle and thread, and what strikes me is the process – the tiny, repetitive marks building up a whole world. Look at the little house on the left, all those tiny yellow stitches, one by one, creating form and shadow. The colors are muted, almost faded, giving it a quiet, antique feel. The texture is smooth, uniform, yet you can imagine the countless hours spent making each stitch. The birds and flowers are rendered in a charmingly naive way, each one a testament to the maker’s patience and skill. It reminds me of the work of Bill Traylor, another artist who found a way to express himself through simple forms and materials. Art, like life, is an ongoing conversation, a constant exchange of ideas and influences across time. There is no definitive meaning, instead it embraces ambiguity and multiple interpretations.