Wayaka (bag) 1965 - 1975

This is a textile bag called Wayaka, made by an anonymous artist. Looking at it, I get the feeling that making this bag was a slow, deliberate process, almost like a meditation. The horizontal bands of color and pattern are so striking. There's a real emphasis on the materiality of the yarn, you can almost feel the textures with your eyes. The colors are earthy and vibrant all at once – reds, oranges, browns, purples, and greens. Each band has these little motifs running through it – birds, geometric shapes, zigzags, and lines that look like stitched rain. The way the artist repeats and varies these elements reminds me of Paul Klee's playful approach to abstraction. Think of the maker carefully selecting each color, each stitch, and each pattern. Like weaving a story into the fabric. These textiles are an ongoing conversation, each artist builds on the ideas of those who came before, adding their unique voice and perspective.