Printed Textile c. 1941

This printed textile was made by Arlene Perkins; we don’t know exactly when, but she lived from 1855 to 1995. It's all about layers, isn’t it? See how the column rises up the middle, but it’s almost swallowed by the roses. The roses aren't just roses, they are also marks that are repeated in many sizes and densities. It's like a conversation between the solid form and the ephemeral blooms. I like the way you can see the weave of the textile showing through, it gives everything a kind of earthy grounding. And those roses! They're like little explosions of pink and peach, with the leaves twisting and turning around them. There’s one rose right at the front, slightly faded pink, that seems to be opening right up to us. I think Perkins was looking at older fabrics, maybe from the 18th century, there's something old fashioned about this image, but at the same time, something timeless too. It's just really beautiful.