A Connecticut-type Hadley Chest c. 1936

Martin Partyka made this drawing of a Connecticut-type Hadley Chest, we're not sure when or exactly with what, but it's a real beauty! It's not just a picture, it's like a little stage for the wood itself to shine. I find myself drawn to the surface; it’s got this soft, almost dreamy quality. It's rendered in a way that feels both precise and loose, like the artist is letting the wood grain have its own say. Look closely and you see the subtle variations in tone, as though Partyka delighted in the simple act of tracing each line, each curve, letting the shapes emerge organically. And isn't it funny how a drawing of something so solid and functional can feel so delicate? It reminds me of Agnes Martin's grids, but instead of abstraction, we've got this charmingly rendered chest. Makes you think about how art can be found in the everyday. It really is an ongoing dialogue, right?