Hooked Rug c. 1938

Alfonso Umana made this hooked rug; it's a small piece, only about 7 by 11 inches. It's got this great handmade feel, you know? The colors are muted, with a dark ground and a border of blues and pinks, like faded memories. I love the texture – you can almost feel the loops of yarn. It's naive, maybe, but also so deliberate. Look at the little flowers in the pot, each petal carefully placed. The whole thing feels like a meditation on home and comfort. It makes me think of other self taught artists, like Bill Traylor, who used simple materials to create these really powerful images. Umana is having a similar conversation about the beauty that can be found in the everyday. It’s the kind of art that reminds us that making something with your hands is a way of thinking, feeling, and just being in the world. It leaves plenty of space for interpretation, and isn't that the best kind of art?