Tampan c. 20th century

This Tampan was woven, we think, in South Sumatra, Indonesia, but we don’t know by whom. This textile presents a fascinating puzzle. It’s a whole world made up of very simple, repetitive marks. These marks build up to create quite intricate patterns, forming the overall composition. Look closely, and you can see how the weaver has painstakingly built up the surface, knot by knot, thread by thread. The texture has a unique materiality, a directness that speaks to the artist’s hand. The colors – muted reds and ochres – give it a kind of earthly feel, and you can imagine the artist working patiently, slowly. The central motif is reminiscent of a temple, maybe even a palace. The way the anonymous artist has created this piece reminds me of the work of Anni Albers, and also Paul Klee's drawings. Art is like this, right? An ongoing, timeless conversation. We can see echoes and resonances across cultures and centuries. What will future generations make of our work? It’s this conversation that keeps art alive.