Anasazi / Pottery c. 1935

Harold Emerson Keeler made this image, titled "Anasazi / Pottery," using what looks like linocut. Just imagine him carving into that linoleum block, then inking and printing it to create this image. I am curious about this scene, the making of the pottery. The artist shows a cluster of figures absorbed in the making of objects. They're surrounded by what appears to be their homes, and I wonder, what were they thinking about as they worked? What did it feel like to work together? Look closely at the colors Keeler chose—the russet and blues that make up the foreground. The bold lines and simple shapes create a powerful sense of community and tradition. We can imagine that this scene is not just a moment in time but a part of an ongoing process, a dance with the earth and with each other. That’s what I think about when I consider other artists' work.