Free Hand Wall Decoration 1935 - 1942

Alvin M. Gully’s "Free Hand Wall Decoration" is a drawing that gives us a glimpse into the world of American folk art. Born in 1855, Gully lived through a period of immense social and economic change. This drawing is not just an aesthetic object. It represents the intersection of domestic life, personal expression, and cultural identity. The stylized floral motifs and symmetrical composition could be seen as Gully's attempt to create beauty and order in the domestic space. Perhaps it also served as a form of personal expression for women who were often confined to the domestic sphere. The act of decorating one’s home could be seen as a quiet assertion of individuality and creativity within the bounds of societal expectations. The drawing invites us to reflect on the lives and experiences of individuals like Gully, and on the ways in which they used art to navigate their worlds.