Basket c. 20th century

This basket was made at an unknown date by Beta Israel, also known as Falasha. The concentric circles of this basket remind me of the process of artmaking, each round building upon the last, a meditative act of creation. Look at how the colors interact: the bold red, sunny yellow, and cool green create a vibrant energy. The texture is palpable, you can almost feel the ridges of each coil, a testament to the artist's hand. There's a beautiful rhythm in the repetition, but also subtle variations, like a painter mixing colors on a canvas. Notice how the starburst design emerges from the center, a focal point that radiates outwards. It's like a conversation between order and spontaneity, control and intuition. You might see the influence of artists like Anni Albers, who also explored the possibilities of weaving as a form of artistic expression, and, like this basket, celebrated the beauty of simple materials.