Agnes Martin Inspired Rose Art Tote

The famous art dealer Arne Glimcher tells this story about the American artist Agnes Martin. He said that once his 11 year old granddaughter Isabelle was visiting Agnes and the little girl was holding on to a rose clipped from a bush outside of her house. Agnes asked the girl, "Is this rose really beautiful?"

"Yes," replied Isabelle.

Agnes hid the rose behind her back. "Is the rose still beautiful?"

"Yes," replied Isabelle once again.

"You see," said Agnes, "Beauty is in your mind, not the rose."

This simple tote-bag was inspired by that story. The rose is behind a black square, blocking most of it from view. Yet, that rose remains beautiful.