Skirt (Aksu) 1965 - 1975

This woven skirt, or aksu, was handmade by an anonymous artist. The dark, solid central field, is flanked by vertical bands of vibrant colors. I love the way these sections vibrate against each other. I imagine the weaver, carefully selecting each thread, creating a rhythmic beat. The edges burst with reds, yellows, and browns, creating a bold contrast to the somber navy. I wonder if they labored over the symmetry, or if they let their hands wander intuitively, embracing minor imperfections that gives it so much life. Weaving is a slow, deliberate dance of body and mind. Each repetition is a tiny act of love. It's a process of building up meaning, one thread at a time. I see echoes of Anni Albers and Sheila Hicks in this piece. It’s a reminder that art is a conversation across time, where makers respond to each other, building on traditions, breaking them, and finding new forms of expression.