Fruit Dish c. 1937

Hugh Clarke created "Fruit Dish" at an unknown date using graphite. The drawing gives us a lesson in seeing. Look how the horizontal lines are used to create the illusion of depth and roundness of the dish! I love that we also get to see the artist's process, with the inclusion of the scaled down drawing to the side. I’m struck by the texture that Clarke has achieved with simple lines. See how the variations in pressure and the careful layering create depth and shadow? It reminds me of the way Wayne Thiebaud uses paint to make his cakes look so luscious, but here, it’s all done with graphite. The contrast between the solid base and the delicate, scalloped edges of the bowl is delicious. It also reminds me of Vija Celmins’ drawings, where she takes an everyday object or scene and transforms it into something extraordinary through close observation and meticulous rendering. It’s a reminder that art isn’t just about what you see, but how you see it.