Vest with patchwork design

early 20th century

This vest illustrates how paper absorbs ink differently than cloth takes dye. Very deliberate asymmetry has been laid out in the design, as slivers of pattern slide into place. The panel with calligraphy is a scatter style rendition of the lyrics of a Japanese national song.

Paper, silk cloth, ink: painted, stenciled, stitched

30 1/4 x 14 1/2 in. (76.84 x 36.83 cm)

Gift of the Christensen Fund

2001.429

Not currently on view

Resources

Published References"Seattle Art Museum: Bridging Cultures." London: Scala Publishers Ltd. for the Seattle Art Museum, 2007, p. 45, illus. p. 44

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

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