Water-pattern textile 1883 - 1900

This is a water-pattern textile made by Associated Artists. It features rows of wave-like motifs, embodying the fluid and rhythmic essence of water. Water is a vital symbol across cultures, representing purity, renewal, and the subconscious. In ancient mythologies, water deities held immense power, reflecting the life-giving and destructive potential of the seas. Think of Poseidon or Neptune, gods who commanded the waves with their tridents. This pattern reminds me of Hokusai's "The Great Wave," where a singular, cresting wave becomes a symbol of nature's overwhelming force. The repetition of the water motif here, with its undulating lines, evokes a sense of the eternal flow of time and the cyclical nature of life. It engages our collective memory, stirring deep-seated emotions connected to the primal force of water. This textile is not merely a decorative object, but a conduit that connects us to ancient archetypes and the ever-changing currents of human experience.