Tunic (faroumban) c. 20th century

This tunic was made in West Africa by a Wolof artist, and it’s not painted, but constructed out of strips of indigo-dyed cotton. I’m thinking about the way these strips were sewn together, shifting and emerging through trial, error, and intuition. What was it like for this artist to create something so beautiful and useful? Maybe they were thinking about the person who would wear this garment. The vertical blue bands are so assertive and give a real structure to the piece. The little tassels and geometric shapes add a touch of whimsy. It's like the artist is speaking to us across time, saying, "Hey, I’m here, making something with my hands, just like you." This piece reminds me that artists are in an ongoing conversation, inspiring one another's creativity. The tunic embraces ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations and meanings.