Goblet 1935 - 1942

Editor: This is May Hays’ “Goblet,” a pencil drawing created sometime between 1935 and 1942. It's quite a delicate drawing. What is your interpretation of this seemingly simple subject matter? Curator: I see more than just a drawing of a goblet; I see a representation of domesticity viewed through the lens of gender and class in the mid-20th century. Who was drinking from this goblet and in what context? Consider the labour that went into creating this object, from the glassblower to the artist rendering it on paper. Think about the gendered expectations surrounding maintaining a home and presenting a certain image to the world. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the labor aspect. Is the drawing itself making a statement about these social issues, or are we just projecting onto it? Curator: I think it’s a combination. Art is rarely created in a vacuum. Even in its seeming simplicity, this drawing reflects the cultural values and anxieties of its time. The detailed rendering of a functional, everyday object elevates it, prompting us to ask: Who has access to these refined items, and what does that say about societal hierarchies? Think about the artist, May Hays. Was she interested in reflecting this status? What do we know about her biography? Editor: Not a lot, actually. That makes me wonder even more about the drawing's purpose. Curator: Exactly! It invites us to consider the silences and gaps in art historical narratives and who has been historically excluded. The very act of documenting this object elevates its importance but simultaneously begs us to ask to what ends? Editor: So, even a seemingly straightforward drawing of a goblet can reveal complex layers of meaning related to social status and gender. Curator: Precisely. It’s a reminder that even the most ordinary objects are imbued with cultural significance, waiting to be decoded. Editor: This gives me a new appreciation for approaching art through different lenses!