Man's cloak (Capixay) 1960

This man's cloak, or Capixay, was woven by the Maya, but it is difficult to say when. The dark woollen body is punctuated by borders of intricate embroidery. I imagine the embroiderer patiently working their way along each edge, their hands moving with a rhythm both learned and innate. When I look at the embroidery on the collar, or the hem of the garment, I see a conversation happening between color, texture and form. The fine lines create a delicate tension against the coarse weave of the cloak itself, and those little fringes along the bottom are just so good! It's not hard to imagine how the texture would feel to the touch: a satisfying mix of rough and smooth. That central motif on the chest, it's like a little burst of optimism, a tiny splash of magenta and gold, radiating outwards. It reminds me of Klee, maybe, and how he used simple forms to conjure up complex emotions. It also reminds me that art lives in a constant state of exchange, across time and culture. There’s always something to learn, always something new to see.