Cushion Cover c. 1950

This cushion cover was made anonymously, and you can tell a lot about how it was made just by looking. It's clear that there was a process: a repeated pattern of marks building up to create these floral designs and borders. Up close, you can see how the texture of the fabric influences the application of the pigment. The pigment is almost embedded into the fabric, staining the material. I love how the red and green pigments create a rhythm, a call and response between the foreground and background. And notice the tiny dots scattered across the off-white ground. Each one is like a little universe. Looking at this piece, I'm reminded of the work of Ree Morton, who also had this incredible sense of color and pattern. Ultimately, art is a conversation, a continuous exchange of ideas across time and cultures. This cushion embraces ambiguity, leaving room for multiple interpretations. It invites us to think about the labor and care involved in its creation.