Plate c. 1953

Charlotte Sperber made this plate with what looks like watercolour at some point in the twentieth century. The colour palette is earthy, very grounded – tans, browns, greens – giving it a familiar, almost homely feel. Look at the floral design at the center. It's not trying to be photorealistic, is it? It's more about capturing a feeling, an essence of 'flower-ness'. It's also so flat! There is something beautiful in its naive style. You can really tell she enjoyed making this, allowing the lines and shapes to emerge organically. The brown outline gives this simple form definition and highlights the different shades of colour within the form. It reminds me of Hilma af Klint, who also used botanical forms to create transcendental images that suggest alternative ways of seeing. Both embrace the power of art as a mode of personal expression over technical perfection. It’s not about getting it ‘right’, but about embracing the journey of creation.