Needlework on Altar Cloth c. 1936

This needlework on altar cloth was made by Lena Nastasi, who lived from 1855 to 1995. It looks like it involves a red and yellow colour palette, like a gentle dance of colours. This piece feels like a meditation on the act of making, as it's so detailed and process-driven. Looking at the surface, you can see the texture of the fabric and the stitches. I think the physicality of the medium adds so much to the work, it feels like you can really see the hand of the artist. Take a look at one of the red floral designs. It’s not just a flower, is it? It is a collection of tiny stitches which build up into something more. The texture adds to the emotional experience. Lena's work reminds me of the Gee's Bend quilters, where the act of making becomes a form of storytelling. It's like a conversation across time. Art doesn't need fixed meanings, it's about embracing ambiguity.