Panel c. 20th century

This panel was made by an anonymous artist, date unknown, and is here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It’s kind of amazing to think about the process, isn't it? The texture is incredible. A tight field of interlocking diamonds are framed by a loose fringe. You can almost feel the fibers, right? It's like they're dancing. I keep thinking about the hand that made this, patiently working away. Look at the way the color shifts. A warm tangerine fades into a softer peach. Notice the slight imperfections, the way some of the diamonds are just a little bit off. Those little hiccups are where the magic happens. This panel reminds me a bit of Agnes Martin's grids. They both share this quiet, meditative quality. But where Martin is all about precision, this panel is all about the beauty of imperfection. To me, it speaks to the ongoing conversation of art, of sharing ideas and approaches, while allowing for the wonderful surprises that come with letting go.