Blouse c. 21th century

This Blouse, by Pao, lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and is, well, a blouse. What I see in this garment is an emphasis on simplicity and form: the deep black of the fabric really frames the edges and allows for these lines of vibrant colour to take centre stage. You see art is a process of revealing as much as it is a process of concealing. What this work makes me consider is how such minimal interventions can have such a great impact. That single green stitch at the neckline. It’s a tiny mark but it changes everything. As a painter, I'm always thinking about scale, and the relationship between the small gesture and the whole field, so you can see why I am so drawn to the precision and care of this piece. It reminds me that art is all about the push and pull between different elements.