Shawl c. 20th century

This shawl, by an anonymous artist, no date, looks like it was made with love and patience. The dye work on the fabric has this gorgeous, uneven saturation, which gives a sense of art-making as a process. Up close, you can almost feel the texture of the woven cloth. That bright pink color is so striking, almost electric, yet the variations in tone suggest the maker’s hand, giving a personal touch. Notice along the edges, the delicate fringe, each strand carefully considered. It's the kind of detail that draws you in, making you wonder about the person who made it, what she might have been thinking. The translucency of the fabric suggests something airy and delicate, which puts me in mind of Agnes Martin. I think it speaks to the way that textiles can be both functional and deeply expressive, a space where art and life become beautifully intertwined.