Running Horse Weather Vane c. 1940

Editor: Here we have “Running Horse Weather Vane,” created around 1940 by Gertrude Koch. It appears to be a drawing of some kind, possibly charcoal, and I’m struck by the sculptural quality the artist achieves. How should we approach an object like this? Curator: I see here a confluence of production: the crafting of a weather vane as folk art and the artistic rendering of it. What was the original weathervane made from, and by whom? Koch's artistic choice elevates what might otherwise be seen as a utilitarian object, prompting us to consider the labor and craftsmanship embedded in its creation. It highlights the means of production not just of the art object, but the weather vane itself. Editor: That’s interesting. So you're saying that she's drawing our attention to the history of physical work in its making? Is she then removing that labour and repackaging it into something…else? Curator: Precisely! The drawing translates the materiality of the vane – perhaps tin or copper – into lines and tones on paper. Does this transition alter its purpose or meaning? How does Koch’s interpretation reframe the narrative surrounding both art and the work required in producing everyday goods? The consumer often fails to contemplate that production; the artist makes that a point of active discussion. Editor: That’s given me a lot to think about; I will definitely be paying more attention to materiality going forward. Curator: Absolutely, consider it a lens through which we can view both artistic intentions and the wider social implications of artistic practices.