Panel (Shoowa) Date Unknown

Editor: Here we have a woven textile panel, simply titled "Panel (Shoowa)," its creation date is unknown, but we know it’s attributed to the Kuba people and is currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The geometric pattern is really striking and the texture makes me want to reach out and touch it! What can you tell me about this compelling textile? Curator: Oh, this! This isn't just a pretty pattern; it’s a peek into a sophisticated visual language. The Kuba are masters of geometric abstraction. Imagine sitting at a loom, the rhythmic click-clack a constant companion, transforming raffia palm fibers into intricate designs. The Shoowa patterns aren't random; they are intellectual property passed down through generations, each with a specific name and meaning. They represent stories, proverbs, and the very fabric of Kuba identity. It’s almost like looking at woven poetry. Does the repetition make you feel anything? Editor: Now that you mention it, I'm mesmerized by it! Does the weaver choose the patterns, or are they assigned in some way? Curator: Great question! It’s more nuanced than assigned, and involves both honoring tradition and allowing space for individuality within that tradition. There were constraints around which individuals were permitted to work with certain designs based on status or initiation. The repetition is both a meditation and a display of incredible skill. It takes time to internalize the patterns. What stories might it be telling? Editor: This makes me consider textiles in a completely new light – the weaving process as storytelling and the repeating patterns acting as codes that carry knowledge. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. And remember, textiles aren't just static objects. They live; they're worn, traded, danced in – each thread whispering secrets if we know how to listen.