Woman's Pleated Skirt c. 20th century

This pleated skirt was made by Gejia, Miao, and sits at the Minneapolis Institute of Art like an echo through time. It's not paint of course, but seeing the bands of colour and the intricacies of the needlework, you know, it feels like painting. I can imagine Gejia at work, each stitch a breath, each colour choice a story unfolding. The deep blues at the top, almost indigo, then the flashes of red and the geometric patterns at the hem—it’s like watching different moods and memories dance together. Maybe she was thinking of the mountains, or the festivals, or even just the everyday rhythms of her life. What really grabs me is the texture. The way the pleats create these little valleys and ridges, catching the light and shadow. You can almost feel the fabric in your hands, the weight of it, the way it would move when worn. It reminds me that art isn't just about what you see, it's about what you feel, what you experience with your whole body.