Clapper c. 1940

Hilda Olson made this Clapper sometime in the 20th century, with watercolor and graphite on paper. Olson meticulously rendered an object typically crafted from wood and metal. The material qualities of the clapper are beautifully captured. The wood grain shows signs of wear and age, while the metal hardware is carefully rendered to show its form and attachment. There’s a palpable sense of the tool’s weight and texture. Clappers were traditionally used in fields to scare away birds. This one has a rustic appearance, and the amount of work that went into this painting speaks volumes about its cultural significance, a connection to the earth, and the labor involved in farming. Olson's rendering elevates an everyday object to a work of art. She blurs the line between craft and fine art by using a traditional medium to depict a utilitarian object, thus emphasizing the importance of recognizing artistic value in all aspects of human experience.