Stirrup c. 1940

This drawing of a stirrup with Western motifs, was made by Harry Mann Waddell. I love the way the artist builds the image out of multiple elements, layering the textures and symbols to create a still life that speaks to something broader. There is a beautiful tension between the earthy tones of the stirrup itself and the pearly, almost iridescent surfaces of the embellishments stacked on top. Look closely and you can see the artist playing with how light interacts with these different materials. It's fascinating how the metal decorations seem to glow against the dark leather, like idealized visions against a backdrop of reality. I’m reminded of Charles Demuth’s precisionist still lifes, especially in the way that Waddell focuses on the shapes and forms within the objects themselves. Ultimately, this piece reveals how art can be found in the everyday, transforming mundane objects into symbols of identity and culture.