Valance (Detail) c. 1941

Marion Gaylord made this detail of a valance, we don't know when, with some kind of thread on fabric. What strikes me is how Gaylord used embroidery, traditionally a domestic craft, to create this piece. It is an intimate and laborious process, each stitch a small act of care and attention. The texture of the fabric is visible beneath the stitches, giving the piece a sense of depth and layering. The color palette, though muted, has such a warmth to it, like faded memories or a beloved heirloom. I keep thinking about the dark blue meandering vine, anchoring the composition and serving as a counterpoint to the more delicate floral motifs. It’s almost like a dance, this interplay between line and form, color and texture. Thinking about other artists, I am reminded of Ree Morton and her interest in the language of craft. Like Morton, Gaylord embraces the handmade, infusing her work with a sense of personal history and narrative. Ultimately, it is this embrace of ambiguity and imperfection that makes the valance so compelling, inviting us to contemplate the beauty of the everyday and the enduring power of art.