Lock, Key, Hinge c. 1938

Editor: This is Charles Bowman's "Lock, Key, Hinge," created around 1938 using watercolor and charcoal. I find it intriguing how ordinary objects are presented with such care. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: These aren't just ordinary objects; they are powerful symbols! Consider the lock. What does it protect? In 1938, the world was on the brink of war. These objects could symbolize security, safeguarding what’s precious against external threats. Editor: So, the objects are less about function and more about representation? Curator: Precisely. The key represents access, knowledge, perhaps even power. The hinge, often overlooked, implies connection and possibility. But the somewhat sombre tone—notice the dark hues, especially the charcoal—it creates a sense of unease, doesn't it? What emotional response does it provoke in you? Editor: It does feel heavy, perhaps suggesting that security and access come at a cost. The metal components even give it a gothic feel somehow. Curator: Gothic! Interesting observation! Think of gothic architecture: elaborate but also defensive, fortress-like. Perhaps Bowman is evoking that feeling intentionally, layering meanings within seemingly mundane objects. What do you think this says about our relationship to the things we value most? Editor: I didn’t expect to read so much from a simple still life. I guess it proves that even everyday objects carry profound significance. Curator: Indeed. By focusing on these particular items, Bowman prompts us to contemplate what we strive to protect and the means by which we seek to do so. Visual symbols help us connect to our history and shared experience.