Cast Iron Gate Railing c. 1936

Curator: Well, isn't this drawing elegant! It is entitled "Cast Iron Gate Railing," made by Ray Price around 1936. Editor: It has an immediate feel of restrictive beauty. The intricate, curving forms are lovely, but the gate itself hints at barriers and exclusion. Curator: Indeed, there’s a palpable tension in the image. The craftsmanship here is quite remarkable. It’s a pencil drawing that convincingly captures the texture of metal, the very means of making and producing this craft. And there is much complexity embedded in what such crafted railings can represent, both then and today. Editor: Precisely. Think about the socio-political landscape of the 1930s. Gated communities, or even individual homes with elaborate ironwork, signify a very clear separation between the haves and have-nots. This artwork, regardless of its creator’s intent, becomes a potent symbol of that divide, especially during a period marked by profound economic disparity. Curator: I can appreciate that perspective, certainly when contextualizing this with socioeconomics. From my view, I see that Ray Price used both pencil and metal for art during the Works Progress Administration era. The intersection of materials makes you wonder who fabricated the depicted gates. I'm more curious if Price worked on this as documentation to fabricate them. Editor: That’s an interesting point—connecting this drawing directly to the actual material production of gates and potentially solidifying that material access. We're prompted to explore ideas of exclusivity linked to race and gender during that time. What narratives are literally gated off because of these constructed barriers? Curator: Good point! I would still stress the materiality. Here the linear quality adds more visual impact to the drawing overall, capturing not only the intricate designs but the quality of the industrial product depicted. Editor: I'm with you there; what remains vital is this invites inquiry into structural systems and the impact of societal norms through seemingly benign, almost decorative designs. Curator: Well, either way, this has provided many ideas on industrial metal-craft during this tumultuous historical period. Editor: Agreed. This single image sparks much thought about equity and societal infrastructure, hopefully driving insightful dialogues for current change.