Skirt (Longyi) c. mid 20th century

This Longyi, or skirt, was made in Mandalay, in the Shan state. Look at these undulating, rhythmic patterns, they seem to float across the surface of the fabric. You can almost feel the patient hand of the artisan, repeating and varying the design. I wonder what the maker was thinking about while creating this pattern? What was their everyday life like? The red lines, like paths or rivers, meander with an almost playful energy against the beige ground. Think of the conversations happening between different artists, across continents, across time. This feels connected to the linear explorations of artists like Paul Klee. We see echoes of mark-making, from the smallest doodle to the grandest gesture. In a way, all art-making is connected, a visual dialogue, each piece influencing the next.