Spoon Mold c. 1938

This drawing of two spoon molds was made by Paul Poffinbarger, though the date is unknown, and it feels like a bit of a mystery. The way the artist shades with soft pencil strokes feels almost photographic, but there’s something not quite real about them. Look at the way the pencil catches the light on the spoon on the left. There’s a real beauty in the depiction of this mundane object, it feels like Poffinbarger is trying to find some special in the ordinary. The spoons are presented close up, almost like specimens, demanding our attention. I'm reminded of Vija Celmins' drawings of everyday objects, like combs and hot plates. Both artists share a hyper-realistic style combined with the desire to elevate something humble to the level of fine art. With both, there’s a sense of quiet contemplation in the repetitive process of rendering each object with such detail. It's like they're asking us to slow down and really see the world around us.