This is a woven textile from the Met Collection from the 18th century, “from China or Japan.” I am drawn to how the pattern is nested in each other, and the hierarchy of different elements- the main fish, the waves its sits on, the splashing of the waves, then the drops of water in the air. Together, it is well composed and create an intriguing figural negative space. In addition, there is also the pattern below it that seems very different, but of similar colors and contrast.
In contrast to the textile above, this is called Brownstoner designed by Ian “Hydeon” Ferguson, found on Flavor Paper. As an architecture student from Brooklyn that likes to draw facades, of course I was drawn to a pattern of Brownstone building fronts in Brooklyn. There is an intense amount of detail, and lack of white space that makes it almost seem like it is a never-ending amount of different variations of buildings. When the pattern repeats, it fits right into the one below it.