Tie c. mid 20th century

This tie was made by an anonymous artist, and it's here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art for us to enjoy. It's an object of adornment and status. But it's also a process. Can you see how the maker chose the hues, textures, and weights of the materials, like a painter weighing colors on a palette? The red is the most striking thing here. It's a loud hue and the kind of color that is often used to make a statement. The artist’s gestures and intentions are right there on the surface, embedded in the object itself. It makes me think of Sheila Hicks's fiber works because she also experimented with textiles to create abstract, painterly compositions. Ultimately, this tie tells a story about how we express ourselves and how we leave a mark on the world. It is a continuing dialogue across time, inspiring creativity.