Head scarf with Oya 1940 - 1950

This headscarf with Oya is a piece where cloth, dye, and thread conspire to create something so delicate and robust. I think about the maker, sitting with this square of magenta fabric, arranging and rearranging the floral motifs until they felt just right. Each stem and bloom probably stitched with care, a kind of meditation on nature and pattern. It's cool how each little flower and leaf feels a little different, like they have their own personalities. There's a rhythm to how the artist decided to place the small bundles of flowers, a repetitive act which evokes a deep sense of peace and calm. I like the yellow trim around the edges. It's the perfect accent. This scarf reminds me that art can be found in the everyday, and that every artist stands on the shoulders of those who came before, learning and riffing on tradition to make something new.