Bedspread c. 1936

This bedspread was made by Mary Berner, using what looks like watercolor on paper. You know, it's funny how a simple palette of reds, greens, and yellows can feel so emotionally complex. I’m really drawn to the repeating motifs and geometric structure in the piece. The artist’s hand is so evident. The four leaf clover shapes are rendered in flat colors with little variation. But I can imagine Mary carefully applying each layer to create the final form. The slight irregularities in the painting’s surface make it feel so intimate, so human. It's like the artist is right there with you, sharing a quiet moment. The pattern feels both carefully planned and totally intuitive, as if the artist were just letting her feelings flow onto the material. I think of Gee's Bend quilters when I look at this piece, or maybe even Agnes Martin. It is a reminder that art is a conversation across time, an ongoing dialogue between artists, materials, and ideas.