Birds in Maize (#DW-44) 1967

This boldly patterned cloth, Birds in Maize, lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and was made by an anonymous artist. The deep reds and blues remind me of folk art traditions, like something Matisse might have admired. Look at how the artist repeats motifs – birds, curlicues, and geometric shapes, building up a dense, almost dizzying rhythm across the surface. The textile has this incredible energy, with the birds caught in mid-flight. It's as though the artist is inviting us to dive into a vibrant, buzzing world. The small, almost childlike mark-making, is really appealing and makes me think of some of the pattern paintings of Joyce Kozloff. Ultimately, what I love most about this piece is its ambiguity. Is it art? Is it craft? Does it matter? This work just reminds us that art is all about an ongoing conversation, with each generation adding their own unique voice.