Back Apron (Arkalik) c. 1940

This back apron, or Arkalik, lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and was made anonymously, with weaving. I love the way the maker embraces geometry. It’s not a perfect grid, but a wonky, hand-made version. It feels so human! Look at the red hues, repeated and slightly off each time. It reminds me of Agnes Martin, but softer and less austere. The material is so present. You can almost feel the different textures and imagine the process of its making. Each woven thread has its own slight variation, which adds a subtle, organic quality to the geometric design. The fringe is so casual and carefree! It contrasts with the squares of the body of the apron, but they work together. It’s like a conversation between the maker and the material. It’s loose, yet structured. It’s a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places, like in the humble act of weaving.