Cream and Blue 

Tess Jaray made Cream and Blue with paint on canvas. At first glance, its careful arrangement of colored dots might seem simple, even minimalist. But look closer, and you’ll see that the artist has invested considerable labor, systematically applying each dot of color. The canvas serves as a neutral ground, allowing the colors to interact and subtly shift our perception. This methodical process relates to traditions of craft, where repetition and precision are valued. It also recalls industrial production, with its emphasis on standardized units. But here, these approaches are brought together in a handmade object, a painting. This fusion complicates traditional hierarchies between fine art and craft, design and industry. Jaray elevates the act of repetitive making, transforming it into a meditation on color, space, and the very nature of perception. Her work invites us to consider the value we place on different forms of labor and creativity, ultimately blurring the boundaries between them.