Apron c. 20th century

This apron was made by Lisu artists with textiles. The way the colours meet, so bold and confident, is like a conversation, maybe a quarrel! A dance across the fabric. Look at the way the floral patterns crash against the stark black and white stripes. It feels almost accidental, like finding beauty in the scraps and leftovers. See how the red and pink florals almost vibrate against the deep black. It's not about perfection; it's about a feeling, a story told through colour and texture. The fabric, you can almost feel the give of it, the way it would move and breathe with the wearer. It reminds me of the improvisational spirit of Gee’s Bend quilters, using whatever is on hand to create something deeply personal and powerful. Art is just an ongoing conversation across time. A beautiful, messy, vibrant exchange.