Man's ceremonial shirt (camisa) c. 1955

This man's ceremonial shirt, or camisa, was made by the Maya, and you can see it here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Isn’t it funny, the idea of a ‘ceremonial shirt’? It feels very specific, and yet so open. The overall impression is of something made with care, through a methodical process. The stripes create rhythm and structure; each one a slightly imperfect mark, together creating a larger pattern. When I look closely at the cuffs, I see more details, embroidered flourishes that catch my eye like little jokes. Imagine someone wearing this shirt. How does it feel against the skin, how does it move? What kind of presence does it give the wearer? Thinking about the garment in this way reminds me of the work of contemporary artists like Dike Blair, who brings a similar sensibility to his paintings, embracing repetition, slight imperfection, and the beauty of everyday objects.