Basket c. 20th century

This basket was woven by the Tohono O'odham people, also known as the Papago. Notice the geometric patterns, these motifs are far more than mere decoration. They act as a powerful means of cultural expression. The stepped fretwork, for example, is an emblem that echoes across time and cultures. From ancient Greece to the pottery of the American Southwest, this symbol speaks to a universal human desire for order, progress, and perhaps even a pathway through life's labyrinth. Think about the swastika, for instance, which started as a symbol of good fortune, only to be consumed by the shadow of history. These symbols change meanings and take on new implications, influenced by unconscious cultural memory and contemporary contexts. The basket itself, an object of containment, may also symbolize the womb or the cyclical nature of life, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. These symbols are non-linear; they progress cyclically, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.