The eastern textile principle of “phulkari” was introduced to me during a gallery talk with the artist Jenny Mullins last year.

The principle indicates that some mistakes in various textile patterns (mostly wedding apparel) are voluntarily introduced into the embroidery work in
order to protect a bride from the evil eye (”nazar”). Indeed a perfect piece could have attracted others’ jealousy.

I thought about this as I admired the tile work in a restaurant bathroom a few months ago. In a digital world which demands perfection, it’s very humbling to acknowledge and embrace illustrious imperfection.