Temple Basket c. 20th century

This Temple Basket, here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, was made anonymously, and it’s all about process. You can see the way the maker took such care to build up the form, coil by coil. The color palette of browns and creams is so earthy and humble. The basket’s surface is built from these concentric rings of natural material, each one perfectly stitched in place, and adorned with white beads. You can almost feel the texture; the smooth, cool beads contrast with the slightly rough, warm fibers of the basket itself. Look closely at the rhythmic pattern of the beads against the dark, woven material. There is a real conversation happening here, across time and cultures, and although the artist remains unknown, their careful, repetitive process speaks volumes. This is what art is, embracing ambiguity and multiple interpretations.