Wall Watch Pocket c. 1936

Editor: So, this is Gordena Jackson’s "Wall Watch Pocket," made around 1936. It seems to be a watercolor and drawing. I find it a bit…whimsical? Almost like a rendering of an architectural detail, but softened by the watercolor. What jumps out at you when you look at this? Curator: Oh, the "Wall Watch Pocket!" It’s more than just whimsy, I think. For me, it's like stumbling upon a forgotten theatre set design. Can't you almost see it perched above a stage door? Jackson is offering a painted drawing, or a drawn painting, using layers to suggest dimension. I can feel the grain, the texture... it's a dance between observation and invention, no? Editor: I see what you mean about the theatrical feel. The texture is much more pronounced than I noticed at first. How does this fit into the decorative arts style, as opposed to other approaches to, say, painting fruit? Curator: Excellent question! It’s in its *purpose*. This isn’t about portraying an *actual* object realistically, but celebrating a design idea for applied art. Decorative arts aimed to elevate the everyday object; to bring artistry into daily life. Notice the pineapple motif; for centuries it was a symbol of hospitality and welcome. Think of this, if you will, as Jackson's invitation into the world of imagination. Editor: That connection really deepens my understanding. It shifts it from just a pretty picture to a design concept rooted in a specific era. Curator: Precisely! And what's especially charming is that the utility becomes secondary, eclipsed by a sense of decorative fantasy. Jackson really elevates it to pure art. What a sweet surprise, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely. It’s almost a blueprint for beauty, made to welcome. Thank you; that makes it much easier to see. Curator: And thank you for making me see it with fresh eyes, too! I learned something about the invitation from this whimsical object.