Yattha Charkhab c. 20th century

This is 'Yattha Charkhab,' a textile artwork of unknown origin, now hanging at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I love how each motif feels a little different, a testament to the hand-made process. The colour palette is muted, lots of browns and reds, with small accents of brighter colours that lift your eye across the whole surface. The shapes remind me of little jewels embedded in the dark surface. See that little diamond shape, third row down, on the left side? I could stare at that one motif for ages. It's got a tiny bit of blue and yellow in it, like a hidden secret. It’s like each shape is a little experiment, a tiny journey of colour and form. It reminds me of the work of Anni Albers, who explored the possibilities of weaving as a form of artistic expression. But unlike Albers, this piece is anonymous, maybe an ongoing conversation over time. Isn't it amazing how something so unknown can feel so deeply personal?