Tiled Roof House Bank c. 1939

Curator: Editor: This is "Tiled Roof House Bank" from around 1939, drawn by William O. Fletcher. It seems to be rendered in colored pencil and watercolor. I notice it has multiple views of the same object as if they were cut out from a magazine, but why draw that? How do you interpret this work? Curator: On the surface, these charming little architectural renderings might appear simple, but when considered within the context of the late 1930s, especially in the American South where Fletcher was working, these illustrations may speak to ideas around property and access. It is curious, is it not, to select coin banks of all things? Editor: I guess I was just looking at the formal qualities and didn't even consider any historical context! Access as in homeownership? Curator: Precisely! Think about the period—the tail end of the Great Depression. Homeownership was a precarious aspiration for many, particularly Black Americans facing systemic barriers. Does seeing it this way change how you view this "personal sketchbook" entry? Editor: It does. Now I see the coin bank less as a playful object and more as a symbol, maybe a somewhat loaded one, of economic stability that was far from universal at the time. I had no idea colored pencil and watercolor could be used to make such a powerful social statement. Curator: Absolutely! It reminds us that even seemingly innocuous objects can be deeply intertwined with complex issues of class, race, and the ever-present dream of owning a piece of the American pie. I hope looking at this encourages you to interrogate the intentions that underlie aesthetic expression. Editor: Definitely. I’m going to rethink the way I approach historical context for sure! Thank you!