Textile 1935 - 1942

This intriguing "Textile," of unknown origin, is rendered with what seems to be pencil on paper. It's like a minimalist's sampler, but with a twist of obsessive dedication. The rows of horizontal lines, methodically drawn, remind me of Agnes Martin's grids, but with a more human, slightly shaky touch. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the page, line after line, embracing the imperfections. Take a closer look at the left side. The addition of colored marks disrupt the evenness and add another layer. The surface is raw and unassuming. The simplicity draws me in and makes me think about the meditative process of creation. It has the feel of the work of another anonymous artist, the calligrapher Jean Larcher. Both leave us with a sense of rhythm and intentionality, and remind us that beauty can be found in the most basic of forms. Ultimately, it is about the doing, the repetitive act of making, that holds the most meaning.