Needlework on Altar Cloth c. 1936

This is Lena Nastasi’s “Needlework on Altar Cloth.” Nastasi was born in 1855 and lived until 1995, but the date of this piece is unknown. I can imagine Lena sitting and stitching this piece. The flowers are made with such care, the deep reds and the delicate yellows, they sit beautifully against the pale cloth. The stitches are so fine and controlled. How long did it take her? What was she thinking about as she worked? It reminds me of the work of another artist, Agnes Martin, in its quiet, contemplative way. There is something so calming and peaceful about this piece. It's a reminder that art doesn't have to be loud or flashy to be powerful. It can be quiet and intimate, like a conversation between the artist and the viewer. I think of art as a form of embodied expression, and this piece is a great example of that. It is imbued with the artist's spirit, her love for the craft, and her deep connection to the world around her.