Printed Cotton c. 1941

This printed cotton artwork was made by Catherine Fowler sometime in the 20th century. It’s bursting with florals and a kind of neoclassical vibe. There’s something so intriguing about the way the piece is put together. Look at the column in the center, it’s not just a static form, but a series of colorful stripes. Fowler's approach to color is really something else. The reds and greens jump out, but they’re balanced by softer, more muted tones. And the ground! It's this delicate field of subtle marks that almost disappears until you really look. It’s like a hushed whisper. You can almost see the artist making these marks, one at a time, building up the image bit by bit. The floral baskets scattered throughout the composition feel like little explosions of joy. They remind me a little of Elizabeth Murray's playful forms. Both artists share that sense of experimentation and a willingness to push the boundaries of what art can be. This piece really asks us to consider what is possible when we look at the world through the eyes of another person.