Woven Coverlet c. 1937

Curator: This captivating piece is entitled "Woven Coverlet" and dates to around 1937. Attributed to James M. Lawson, it's a mixed-media drawing reflecting folk-art sensibilities, with clear use of watercolor in the patterns. Editor: Oh, wow! My first thought is… cozy. I just want to wrap myself up in that design. The repeating floral patterns have such a comforting, almost vintage vibe. Is it just me, or is there something inherently soothing about textiles represented this way? Curator: It’s absolutely not just you. Textile arts, especially those crafted for the home, carry tremendous cultural weight. Think about it: coverlets provided warmth and were often integral to important rituals – births, weddings, even death. Considering this piece was created in the late 1930s, we can situate it within the context of the Great Depression. Textiles created and used domestically embody resourcefulness during times of hardship. Editor: That makes so much sense. Now I see more than just pretty flowers. I mean, those are cool too - the stylized blossoms and the little bird motifs along what looks like the edge. And the almost faded red against the creamy off-white is gorgeous! Curator: The repetition of the floral design itself may speak to broader issues as well. Folk art frequently becomes associated with identity, connecting specific ethnic and regional traditions to displays of national sentiment. In many examples we can identify overt references to the natural world, symbolizing shared connection to specific places, communities, and heritages. The regularity can be associated to folk art or "craft" labor's repetitive nature. Editor: Hmmm, that is making me rethink that earlier word "cozy"... the visual labor involved is giving me second thoughts. Looking at this from another angle... for me, this representation removes textile from the everyday. And now, safely displayed on a wall, it demands that the labor be "seen," which is maybe more powerful than its utility. Curator: It certainly raises compelling questions around production and use, doesn't it? This artwork gives us a point of entry to thinking about gender roles within family life, along with larger national themes, and this pushes back to more localized experiences and back again. It shows us a rich territory for social exploration. Editor: For sure. What began for me as just pure aesthetics, like I might hang it over my couch… actually opens up deeper pathways to history. So, it goes to show: "cozy" isn't always so simple!