Bag c. 1938

Frank C. Barks made this “Bag” and we don't have a date for when it was made, but it's clear that the process was key. I love how this work focuses on the material aspects: the texture, the intricate beadwork, and the way the colors pop against the darker background. Look at those small, blue leaves, like little gestures, scattered across the surface of the bag. Imagine the hours it took to create this! Each bead is a tiny decision, a mark in its own right. There's a rhythm to it, like a dance. It's like the bag is breathing. When I see work like this I'm reminded of Anni Albers, with her understanding of weaving, and how the process of making creates an emotional response. Ultimately, art is a conversation, full of ambiguity and multiple meanings.