Yarn Picture c. 1941

This yarn picture, made by Edward Unger, shows the Estate of John Appleyard, in the year 1851. Marked in 1887. Isn’t it interesting to think about how the artist methodically built this image? The texture alone makes me feel like I could be there, looking out over the scene and feeling the weather! I imagine Unger carefully choosing each color of yarn, thinking through the composition, and stitching diligently away to create this charming picture. Look how the yarn mimics the form of the trees. Each stitch must have been like drawing with thread. He builds up the image line by line, and the effect is something like a Van Gogh landscape made with soft materials instead of thick paint. What I appreciate about Unger's picture is its commitment to a specific vision. The use of yarn and thread gives the scene an otherworldly feel, blending the familiar with the extraordinary. It invites us to see the world through a unique lens, highlighting how different materials can offer fresh ways of seeing and experiencing our surroundings.