Woman's sash 1960

This Woman's sash was made anonymously, and it is woven, a simple, systematic, and somewhat unforgiving method. What I mean is, if you make a mistake, you can't just fudge it! The sash's orange color is so powerful it almost vibrates. It reminds me of a Rothko, only where he creates fields of color by layering thin veils of oil paint, here, the color is achieved through the crossing of horizontal and vertical threads. Woven things are very connected to the body, and this sash, designed to sit around a waist, would, over time, have taken on the shape of the wearer, and even absorbed their smell. You can almost feel the weaver's hands, their care and the time taken, with each crossing and knotting of the threads. This piece speaks to a dialogue between craft and the body and reminds me of the work of Sheila Hicks. Both artists are so good at letting the hand lead the way.