Panel c. 20th century

This fringed textile panel, now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, presents a field of warm hues and a repeated lozenge motif. Just imagine the weaver at work, a dance of hands and fibers, building up this geometric surface, color by color. I wonder what the artist was thinking while making this? Were they thinking about the utility of the panel, or the rich colors in the pattern itself? The slight imperfections in the weaving speak to a human touch, a kind of intimacy with the materials. The texture, oh, I bet it feels so good! It is a wonderful example of how artisans throughout time are in dialogue with one another, constantly adapting ideas and innovating on old forms. The anonymous artist is part of a longer history of textile creation, transforming humble threads into works of art.