Temple Basket c. 20th century

This Temple Basket was made by an anonymous artist, and it speaks to a kind of quiet, repetitive process. It’s all about texture, isn’t it? Look closely, and you can see how the maker assembled these tiny segments, each one a testament to patience and care. The dark brown frame contrasts with the pale, almost brittle-looking interior, and that beaded trim adds a layer of complexity. It reminds me a little of stitching on a canvas – each element building upon the last, slowly accumulating to form the whole. There’s a beauty in the imperfections, the slight variations in color and texture that give the basket its character. It feels almost alive, like it has a story to tell. Thinking about it I am reminded of the work of the artist Agnes Martin, whose minimal grids hold a similar kind of meditative energy. Both invite us to slow down, to appreciate the subtle nuances of process and form.