Woman's Ceremonial Skirt c. 20th century

This woman's ceremonial skirt, by the Kuba people, is a textile work, of unknown date. The skirt is made of raffia, and it’s kind of like a painting with thread. Each pattern seems to start with the same impulse and then goes somewhere new. You see the idea of process happening right before your eyes. I’m drawn to the earthy tones, the deep browns and creams, that feel both raw and refined. The texture, so tactile, invites you to touch, to feel the history embedded in the weave. Look at the block of arrows pointing every which way. Are they lost, or are they a team? That tension makes this more than just decoration. This skirt reminds me a little of the work of contemporary textile artist Diedrick Brackens, both use the medium to tell stories of identity and culture. Art is always a conversation, right?