Skirt c. 1970 - 1980

This skirt was made by the Atir farming group and is now held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It is a celebration of process. Look at all that stitching. I imagine a group of artisans collaborating, working together, sharing time and space. The skirt's design is pretty simple, with patterns repeated across the whole surface. There is the scattering of red dots, the band of stylized flowers, the mirrors. Nothing lines up perfectly and, somehow, that makes it better. It gives it character, a kind of playful imperfection that makes the piece feel human. The base fabric is a simple, dark cotton, but this becomes a ground for intricate embroidery. I keep thinking about the mirrors that adorn the lower part of the skirt. They reflect light, the wearer and the world beyond. This skirt reminds me of the work of Ree Morton, who embraced a handmade aesthetic in her installations, finding beauty in simple materials.