Barkcloth panel

This Barkcloth panel was made by the Mbuti people, it's a textile, using fibre and pigment to create a unique artwork. The earthiness of the brown bark is so present. This isn’t just a ground, but a material presence. The dark lines aren’t trying to fool you into thinking they are anything other than lines on bark. The texture of the surface is tangible, you can almost feel it. The composition feels both intentional and off-the-cuff. It’s not quite abstract, not quite representational, but something beautifully in-between. The lines create shapes, but these shapes don't seem to settle into any fixed meaning. It’s so refreshing to see a piece that embraces ambiguity and open interpretation. Looking at this, I can’t help but think of Agnes Martin's grids and how she created a similar sense of calm and openness with her delicate lines.