Hooked Rug c. 1937

Curator: This piece, entitled "Hooked Rug," dates back to around 1937 and is the creation of Margery Parish. It's fascinating, made with mixed-media, including drawing and textile techniques, bringing forth a captivating folk-art expression. Editor: Oh, my! My first thought is of warmth—despite the somewhat crude depictions, it feels intensely cozy and personal. Like a dream stitched into being. Curator: Precisely! The symbols and figures, those abstracted animals and that central figure…they possess a striking presence, evoking a primordial narrative. Can you feel how Parish’s technique carries symbolic weight? Editor: I can. The repeated stippling evokes a kind of ancient, pointillist tapestry—reminding me of early cave paintings and their attempts to capture the soul of animals through their silhouettes. The indigenous art vibes are very strong, and I am very curious as to their symbolism. Curator: Given that the artwork mixes figuration with abstraction, one could read it as Parish navigating her internal world through recognizable forms made mysterious. This play becomes increasingly potent, wouldn’t you say? Editor: Absolutely. The juxtaposition between representation and almost total abstraction speaks volumes. The 'Hooked Rug' seems to present a symbolic alphabet where the viewers try to decode what it is intended to convey. Also, it also provides viewers a playground to make their own meaning based on what it shows. Curator: Its creation through "drawing" and "textile" merges both two-dimensional and tactile sensations, like a dance between sight and touch, which altogether feels like coming in contact with a familiar spirit! Editor: Indeed. And the "geometric" organization, even in its seeming chaos, holds a powerful underlying structure that resonates deeply with a very raw state of being, in all likelihood. It is deeply fascinating! Curator: Exactly! Parish's “Hooked Rug,” with its raw energy, calls for one final lingering gaze, if you will. I’m just so fascinated by the energy that radiates from within. Editor: Same here. It's a testament to the power of turning inwards and translating those inner symbols and emotions into something tangible.