Haik c. 20th century

This textile, Haik, was made by Ida ou Nadif Amazigh, a Berber artist. The rich, earthy reds and linear patterns feel like a map or a secret code, don't they? I wonder what it was like for her to create this, the focus and patience involved in weaving each thread, each line. You can see a conversation between the artist and the materials. Maybe she started with a clear idea, but the process itself took over, leading her down unexpected paths. The diamonds and vertical stripes remind me of Agnes Martin's grids but with a warmer, more human touch. There’s a rhythm here, a pulse, like a heartbeat. The little lozenges that break up the lines, they're like tiny pauses in a song. The history of painting is full of artists responding to each other across time. Each artwork is part of an ongoing dialogue.