Willie Cole
Original Sin
2024, 150 knots /sq in, Tibetan wool, 145 x 128 inches
sustainably hand-knotted in Nepal by Artisan Weavers
Willie Cole, Original Sin, 2024, 150 knots /sq in, Tibetan wool, 145 x 128 inches, sustainably hand-knotted in Nepal by Artisan Weavers
Standing on the Foundation of American Prosperity
(Excerpt)
by Halima Taha
“Our perception of time often pushes events backward or forwards, but to me, they're all present simultaneously.” Willie Cole
From slave ships to the Underground Railroad, slave quarters to lunch counters, Jim Crow to integration, cotton fields to the first elected Black President, George Floyd, and Black Lives Matter, the Black American experience is a tapestry woven with moments of resilience, struggle, progress, and calls for justice and equality, cinched by courage and hope for a brighter day.
Rugs have a rich historical context as essential elements of human culture and artistry, often serving as functional floor coverings and intricate works of art. The first known examples of knotting textiles similar to rugs can be traced back to ancient African civilizations, where the art of macrame (a form of textile produced using knotting techniques) was developed. These early techniques laid the foundation for creating more sophisticated and elaborate rug-making traditions worldwide, showcasing the importance of textiles in human history and the evolution of craftsmanship over time.
Just as a rug lays a foundation for a room, offering a canvas for intricate designs and patterns to unfold, the thread of American history serves as a foundation for contemplation, weaving together the diverse threads of the nation’s past to create a complex and rich narrative. Each thread in a rug represents a different culture, event, or individual, much like the various elements that have contributed to shaping America’s identity. By examining these intricate weavings of history, one can better understand the complexities, challenges, and triumphs that have defined the American experience. The rug created by Willie Cole, entitled Original Sin, challenges the viewer to decide if the rug should be on the wall or the floor.
Willie Cole is a multidisciplinary artist who defines himself as a “perceptual engineer.” His work is a profound amalgam of cultural narratives and histories that spans drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture and installation. He is best known for transforming domestic objects such as irons, ironing boards, hair dryers, shoes, and others into pivotal artistic statements that speak to the complexity of African American life.
Halima Taha, New Jersey 2024