Basket c. 20th century

This Basket, was made by Beta Israel (Falasha), but we don't know when exactly, or what it was made of, just that it's woven. It’s a testament to the meditative, iterative process of artmaking, where each stitch or coil builds upon the last, a slow dance of intention and material. The texture is palpable, almost begging to be touched, and the colors—earthy yellows, deep reds, and muted greens—speak to a world both familiar and distant. I love the way the pattern evolves from the center outwards. It reminds me of Agnes Martin's drawings, which share a similar interest in the grid and repetition. But where Martin uses precise lines and geometric forms, this basket embraces a more organic, free-flowing approach. The minor imperfections, the slight wobbles in the pattern, are what make it so human and appealing. Ultimately, this basket is a reminder that art is not just about the final product, but about the process, the journey, and the conversations it sparks along the way.