Chest c. 1941

Eva Perry made this work, Chest, with graphite and colored pencil on paper. This soft sepia rendering of a chest immediately reminded me of Agnes Martin’s grids, but grounded in the real world of objects. The chest sits serenely on the page, its form described in detail with tonal variation. Look closely at the side of the chest. Notice how Perry renders the shadows, so they have a soft, almost velvety texture. This speaks to an intimate understanding of the medium. You can see how the application of colored pencil creates depth, allowing the chest to materialize before us. The chest is not just an object; it becomes a container of memories, secrets, and untold stories. This piece reminds me of the work of Giorgio Morandi, who could turn a humble bottle into an object of profound beauty and contemplation. Like Morandi, Perry invites us to slow down, to really see the beauty in the everyday.