Pair of Boots c. 20th century

These boots, by Black Miao, show us how clothes become canvases. Look closely at the stitches, how they build up the floral patterns. There is a process of growth in the needlework, like watching a garden bloom thread by thread. The dark fabric of the boot’s shaft really makes the colours pop in the floral embroidery around the foot. The texture is amazing; can you see the way the light catches on the tiny stitches? It's all about touch, about the hand moving, repeating, creating. The maker’s presence is so alive in these details, in the tension of each pull of the thread. Notice the light blue trim around the sole, like a garden path. This reminds me of Gee’s Bend Quilts in the way practical items become amazing artworks. It's a whole world of dedication and slow, deliberate making. It makes you think about how art isn't just for the wall, it's part of how we live, how we walk, how we see each other.