The artwork, “Linen Lean-To,” is a tapestry created by the artist Sheila Hicks in 1968. It is associated with the Minimalism art movement. This piece of art exemplifies the tactile and textural qualities for which Hicks is known.
In the artwork, a series of linen tassels are tightly arranged in a manner that evokes a sense of rhythm and order while retaining the inherent softness of the textile medium. The tassels, uniformly colored in a natural linen hue, are meticulously aligned in rows. The topmost row is connected by a braided structure from which the tassels dangle, creating a cascading effect. There is a profound interplay between the repetitive pattern and the individual character of each tassel, producing a piece that balances minimalistic restraint with the lush texture of fiber art. The overall composition presents a harmonious blend of simplicity and complexity, characteristic of the Minimalism movement.
