Certificate (army discharge) 1935 - 1942

This artwork by John Koehl, titled "Certificate (army discharge)," looks like it was made with humble materials – paper and ink – probably sometime in the 20th century, though it represents something from way earlier. I can imagine Koehl carefully rendering the old document, tracing over the faded script and worn edges, almost like he's trying to conjure something from the past. It feels like a kind of quiet, meditative act. The paper itself is so aged and fragile, and the printing, although carefully done, looks uneven. This gives it a strange tension between precision and decay. Koehl seems to be reminding us that history isn't just about grand narratives; it's also about these small, personal artifacts that carry the weight of individual experiences. It makes you think about the passage of time. It reminds us that we are constantly in conversation with the past. It is a touching tribute.