Dress 1935 - 1942

Here we have Bessie Forman’s ‘Dress’, a study in watercolour and graphite. I love how the artist has rendered the intricate pattern of the cloth, it's almost as if the red sprigs are rising up to meet you. I think Forman was interested in exploring the interplay between darkness and light, or maybe the tension between the rigid structure of formal attire and the organic, flowing patterns adorning it. There's a softness in the rendering of the fabric, a kind of tenderness even. I imagine Forman, hunched over her desk, carefully mixing her watercolors, trying to capture the subtle nuances of the material, feeling her way through the folds and pleats of the dress. This piece reminds me of other textile works, like Faith Ringgold's story quilts, where the act of stitching becomes a form of storytelling, preserving memories, and celebrating the power of craft. It's all one big conversation and an exchange of ideas across time!