Woven Napkin c. 1937

This Woven Napkin was created by Suzanne Roy; we don't know exactly when, but she lived a long life, 1855 to 1995. The artwork shows the careful and deliberate process of artmaking. The plaid pattern, rendered in muted browns and blues, suggests a simple domestic object elevated through the act of depiction. The texture and color are really what it's all about, aren't they? The surface is smooth, but those individual marks give it a handmade feel. Looking at the bottom left corner, I notice how the brown solid block interacts with the adjacent linear patterns. It grounds the image, yet also emphasizes the delicate, almost fragile, nature of the overall composition. It reminds me of Agnes Martin's quiet abstractions. Both artists share a commitment to simplicity and repetition. They transform the mundane into something transcendent through subtle variations and thoughtful arrangement. Like all good art, this napkin invites us to slow down and appreciate the beauty in the everyday.