Silver Lemon Strainer c. 1936

Michael Fenga made this drawing of a silver lemon strainer, it’s undated, but he lived from 1855 to 1995. The drawing is a kind of technical illustration, but it’s got a lovely, soft touch. Look how he uses light and shadow to give the strainer a sense of volume. The tiny perforations are so neatly arranged, almost like stars in a constellation, and the handle with its flourish seems to wink at the viewer. I love the way he’s rendered the silver, it’s not quite shiny, but it has a subtle glow, a muted luminosity. It makes me think about how much we invest in everyday objects, how a simple kitchen tool can be elevated to something precious through careful design. This reminds me of the work of Eva Hesse, who also found beauty in the mundane, transforming ordinary materials into extraordinary sculptures. With it’s embrace of functional objects rendered with care, this work celebrates the beauty in the everyday.