Cemetary Wreath c. 1938

Editor: We're looking at "Cemetery Wreath," a drawing from around 1938 by Al Curry. It’s made of lots of little intricate lines. I am immediately drawn to how this delicate drawing depicts something associated with mourning and remembrance. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's interesting how Curry, in this drawing, presents us with the fragility of life and the often-unacknowledged labor intertwined with grieving rituals. Floral wreaths, especially during the Depression era when this was created, speak volumes about community, class, and the lengths people went to honor the deceased, often crafted with bare hands. Can we unpack this from the standpoint of gendered expectations within mourning practices? Editor: That's a really interesting way to look at it. I was just thinking about the artistry, but you are suggesting this tells us something about labor. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the flowers. The act of creating something beautiful and ephemeral is inherently linked to care work, most often associated with women. Furthermore, let’s contemplate who had access to such elaborate displays of grief. Did race and class play a role in determining who could afford or create such tributes? How does that question impact the Black mourning experience? Editor: I see what you mean. Now I am looking at the image thinking about what's *not* in the drawing, what perspectives might be missing from this narrative. Curator: Exactly. So much of what isn't represented still speaks volumes about a culture's values and hierarchies. Editor: I never would have thought about all that just looking at it initially, it really makes you think about all that’s behind the surface. Curator: Right, understanding art as cultural texts. Thank you for lending your unique perspectives!