Pa. German Plate c. 1937

Curator: Isn't that sweet? This piece, attributed to Charles Garjian, is a watercolor and coloured pencil drawing titled "Pa. German Plate," believed to be from around 1937. Editor: My first thought? Nostalgia. It's a comforting color palette. Reminds me of my grandma's kitchen – all earth tones and gentle patterns. But there's also something slightly melancholic about it. Curator: It certainly carries that feeling of simpler times. This illustration pulls from the rich tradition of Pennsylvania German folk art, particularly the vibrant painted pottery. Think of it as a flattened study of such a piece. Editor: So, like a blueprint for a beautiful bowl, or a remembrance of one? The stylized tulip design is lovely, although I do wonder if its naive execution could be misinterpreted, seen perhaps as a symptom of rurality rather than as a valued form of aesthetic expression. Curator: Exactly! And understanding that context, that intentional choice of stylized representation, changes everything. This wasn't meant to mimic realism. It's about celebrating a visual language passed down through generations. We have to respect folk art for what it is, even champion it, even if it contradicts urban aesthetic snobbery. Editor: Absolutely. It reflects a cultural identity. A sort of visual heirloom. And even this illustration, in its way, is an attempt to preserve and perhaps idealize that tradition. Did Garjian have some specific connection to Pa. German communities or this style? Curator: He spent a long time living among different communities and traditions across the world. It's this open heart, this openness of approach, that really allows for this connection to exist. To bring to light a moment from the past through new interpretation. He also leaves space for others to join that feeling through their own new stories. Editor: It’s a nice reminder to slow down, appreciate the handmade, and recognize the value in traditions that might not always shout the loudest.