Hat c. 1950 - 1960

This hat, residing at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, speaks volumes even without a known maker or exact date. Look at how the anonymous artist builds this object, stitch by stitch. The concentric circles on top, the lines of color – red, blue, gold – it's like watching someone think through embroidery. Up close, you notice the texture, a landscape of thread. The way the light catches on the floss, its materiality jumps out. The combination of colors – the green band at the base, the burst of blue and yellow fluff – it’s a personal language. See where the concentric circles meet, not perfectly, but with a slight wobble? That’s where the hat becomes something special. It is a reminder that art isn't about perfection, but about the conversation, the give-and-take between maker and material. This hat reminds me of the work of Judith Scott, who transformed found objects into bound sculptures full of hidden stories. It is a testament to the idea that art thrives in the space of ambiguity, inviting us to see and feel in ways we never expected.