Doily c. 20th century

This doily was made with thread and cloth, probably a labor of love. It's easy to imagine the person making this, thinking about the feel of the material as it passes through their hands, the satisfaction of each stitch. I think about process a lot when I’m painting. Looking closely, you can see the little irregularities, the slight tension of the thread, the way the light catches the different textures. The pattern is intricate, almost like a code, but then it gets disrupted. There's a stain on the left, and you can see where the maker may have made adjustments or corrections. It’s an asymmetrical matrix of marks. There’s something really interesting about the way that the artist’s hand is visible in the finished piece. I find myself thinking about Anni Albers, and her interest in the grid. This doily reminds me that art is about a conversation. It’s an ongoing process of exchange and reinterpretation. It's not about perfection but rather about embracing the messy, imperfect, and unpredictable nature of life.