Tie-back c. 1939

Helen Bronson drew this decorative ‘Tie-back,’ on paper at an unknown date. It’s a drawing of a pretty gold tie-back! I love how the paper becomes a space of inquiry for the artist and the viewer. Think about the gesture of applying delicate colours to the paper, slowly building up the image through layering and subtle gradations. I'm fascinated by the tactile qualities of this medium and the ways it responds to the artist's touch. It's as though the artist is engaging in a dance with the materials, coaxing them to reveal their inherent beauty and expressiveness. I imagine Helen trying to get all the details right and I wonder if she made the tie-back herself. Artists are always having a dialogue with each other! We are constantly exchanging ideas across time, and feeding off each other’s creativity.