Corn Husking (right panel) 1935

Helen West Heller made this striking woodcut, Corn Husking, in 1938, using black ink on paper. The graphic nature of woodcut lends itself to bold shapes, and here, she’s all about contrasts. Look at how she alternates between areas of solid black and white lines to create texture. The man’s trousers are a good example. You can almost feel the weight of the fabric. And then there's that incredible pile of corn – see how each individual kernel is rendered with such care? It’s almost like a field of tiny eyes staring back at us. The composition is so dynamic, it reminds me of the German Expressionists, like Kirchner. There’s a similar sense of urgency and rawness in the mark-making. But Heller brings her own unique vision to the medium, celebrating the everyday labor of rural life. It reminds us that art can be found in the most unexpected places, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.