Piece of Shag c. 1936

Frances Cohen created "Piece of Shag" using watercolor and graphite on paper. Cohen was born in London during a time of significant shifts in gender roles and expectations, particularly for women in the arts. The artwork prompts us to consider the traditional association of textiles with domesticity and femininity, and how women artists engaged with and sometimes subverted these associations. On the left, a tightly woven, patterned textile contrasts with the loose, plush shag on the right. This juxtaposition might represent the different facets of women's lives – the structured expectations versus the desire for freedom and expression. Cohen's choice of medium—watercolor—adds another layer to our understanding, watercolor was often seen as a "feminine" medium. Through this piece, Cohen seems to be asking: can traditionally feminine materials express complexity? "Piece of Shag" invites us to meditate on the complex interplay between societal expectations, personal expression, and material culture.