Shoulder cloth c. 1950

This shoulder cloth, with its rich black weave and geometric patterns, feels like a piece of visual music caught in textile form. Imagine the person who made this – they're working carefully, building up these diamond shapes. The red, yellow and grey hues bring a grounded, earthy feel to the overall composition. Each motif feels symbolic, maybe telling a story or marking a tradition. There is a strong sense of history and place in the making of this cloth. This piece reminds me of early modernist textiles from the Bauhaus. They embraced simplicity and functionality, but still possessed a strong artistic vision. But this shoulder cloth has a tactile quality to it, a warmth and human touch that really resonates. It’s a reminder that artists are always building on what came before, finding new ways to express timeless themes.