Sink Bench 1935 - 1942

Curator: This work, titled "Sink Bench," was rendered by Elmer R. Kottcamp sometime between 1935 and 1942, employing watercolor, pencil, and charcoal. My initial impression is one of austerity, almost solemnity, though that might simply reflect the subject matter and my bias as an artist myself. What about you? Editor: My immediate reaction is that this drawing offers an important look into vernacular material culture during the interwar period. I agree that its aesthetic is rather subdued. There’s a certain melancholy in the simple presentation. Curator: Indeed, this drawing evokes a simpler time, perhaps deliberately. The artist utilizes realistic detail to represent the grain of the wood and the simple design. It suggests a connection to regionalism and possibly a commentary on American identity during this tumultuous era. Those pointed arch decorations – could they be invoking the past, perhaps an idealised image of pre-industrial life? Editor: I find myself drawn to the intersection of utility and design here. The sink bench speaks to the necessity of daily life, of course, but those almost Gothic arches on the door panels and upper tier are far from purely functional. They speak of a yearning for aesthetic pleasure even in the most basic of domestic settings. Is Kottcamp suggesting that beauty should be accessible to all, not just the wealthy elite? Curator: Exactly. And consider the emotional weight of home during this time. The Great Depression would have impacted countless families, and the image of the simple home—especially its furnishings—would be more symbolic than literal. Do you feel this drawing, then, functions as a monument or even an altar of sorts? A celebration of humble survival? Editor: I wouldn't call it an altar precisely, but I agree about the emotional weight. The sink bench could certainly be read as a testament to resilience in the face of economic hardship. Also, I can't help but notice how it might speak to women's roles and domestic labor during the era; a lot of women had only this tool to sustain themselves and their family members at a time where unemployment rose severely, especially in lower class households. Curator: An important point. Kottcamp, through his choice of subject and realistic style, encapsulates both the social realities and the psychological needs of his time. Thank you for this dialogue. Editor: Thank you as well; it really makes me want to better examine not just its cultural meaning and importance to us now, but also the impact and its symbolic values that may have been carried to its original audience in the 30s.