Poncho c. early 20th century

This Poncho was woven by an anonymous artist, and what strikes me first are the stripes, those vertical pathways of color and pattern. It's like the artist has set up a rhythmic system, a score almost, and then improvised within it. Look at how each stripe has its own character. Some are bold, solid blues, others broken up by these little dashes of white – like Morse code, or maybe just the quiet hum of the loom. Then there are the diamond patterns, each one slightly different, imperfect in the way that handmade things are. That pop of red in the diamond details really elevates the whole thing. It reminds me of Agnes Martin’s grids, but warmer, more human. Both share a love of repetition and subtle variation, exploring how simple forms can create complex feelings. Ultimately, it’s about a conversation, a dialogue between the artist and the material, the pattern, the culture, and the wearer. It invites you into a world of seeing and feeling.