Grand Prayer Rug 1966

This is Sheila Hicks' "Grand Prayer Rug", woven with yarn, and I imagine the making of it was a devotional act in itself. I’m struck by the soft, tactile quality of this piece. It’s not paint, but those tiny, repetitive knots create a surface that’s almost like impasto. Each little tuft is a physical mark, a testament to the labor and time involved. Up close, you can see how the individual strands of yarn catch the light, creating subtle variations in tone and texture. And those hints of red peeking through, give it a warmth and depth. The whole thing feels like a meditation on color and form, a conversation between the artist and her materials. It reminds me a bit of Anni Albers’ woven wall hangings, in the way it elevates craft to the level of fine art. It’s a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places, and that even the simplest of materials can be transformed into something profound.