Basket 1935

Michael Trekur made this 'Basket' without a known date using what looks like watercolor. The lines are so careful, almost architectural, building up the form with these tiny strokes that mimic the woven texture. It's like he's not just depicting a basket, but also showing us how it's made, bit by bit. Look at the way he uses color – those vibrant zigzags at the bottom, the subtle shifts in the brown tones, all suggesting depth and form. You can almost feel the texture of the woven material, the way the light catches on the surface. The slightly off-kilter perspective gives it a kind of humble charm, a sense of intimacy. It reminds me a bit of Agnes Martin, in the way she used simple geometry and color to evoke a feeling of quiet contemplation. It shows how artmaking is always about seeing, thinking, and feeling your way through the world.