Handwoven Reversible Area Rug c. 20th century

This handwoven reversible area rug was made by the Cranbrook Art Museum and now lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I can just imagine the artist at the loom, carefully choosing each thread, the rhythmic clack of the shuttle, and the slow, satisfying build-up of the design. It’s so tactile, isn't it? Look at how the black and tan threads intertwine, creating these bold, abstract shapes. Are they figures, or just pure form? I am thinking about the conversation that the artist might have been having with Anni Albers, or Sheila Hicks—all those fibre artists who saw weaving as a high art form, pushing the boundaries of color, texture, and design. Each knot, each strand, is a decision, a tiny act of creation that adds up to something bigger, something beautiful. And the fringe! It just begs you to reach out and touch it. I find the textures and the slightly wonky lines so appealing, somehow. For me, it speaks of humanity and an individual's touch.