Head shawl c. early 20th century

This 'Head Shawl' was made anonymously, and I love that, because, who decides what’s art anyway? The maker used a dark ground to set off this really bright embroidery, it’s like looking at a night sky dotted with the constellations. It looks like the fringe is the last thing they did, like they were making a little party for the edges. I'm drawn to the way the embroidery feels so physical. You can almost feel the texture of the threads, the rhythm of the needle going in and out of the fabric. And the way the light catches the metallic threads, there's a real sense of movement. It reminds me a bit of some of the work of Sheila Hicks, another artist who really understands the power of fiber and textiles to create something that's both beautiful and deeply personal. For me it's not just an object, it's a feeling.