Hooked Rug c. 1939

This Hooked Rug was created by Georgine E. Mason, who lived from 1855 to 1995. Though the exact date of production is unknown, we can still appreciate the immense labor involved in this artwork. The rug-hooking technique is simple, but painstaking. Narrow strips of fabric, likely repurposed from old clothes or household textiles, are pulled through a woven backing material. Think about the maker’s concentration as she repeatedly pushed the hook through the canvas, building up the image with tiny loops. The finished surface has a dense, tactile quality, the result of countless individual gestures. The imagery—an American eagle, stars and stripes—speaks to national identity and pride. But the homespun quality of the rug also suggests a more intimate, personal connection to these symbols. Hooked rugs have long been associated with domestic craft traditions, often practiced by women in rural communities. They were a way to create functional and decorative objects, while also expressing creativity and resourcefulness. Considering the material and the making reveals the social and cultural significance embedded in this artwork, and challenges traditional hierarchies between art and craft.