I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Craig Wallen, owner of Gallery 51 at 51 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia. Craig is an expert in antique textile art, specializing in 19th century Anatolian woven pieces. Step into his warmly lit gallery and be enveloped by rich natural color, pattern and texture. Each piece Craig has chosen is very special, you can feel the weaver's personality in the knot, the choice of color, the pride of workmanship for an textile meant for everyday use. In the 21st century, these textiles adorn the walls as art.
Craig's taste is exquisite and he is willing to share his wealth of knowledge with those who are truly interested. If you treat yourself to an hour examining the stunning pieces, you will walk away with a renewed energy from gaining new insights into a nomadic culture. And if you are an artist, your brain will be imprinted forever and it will translate into your work.
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