Candle Holder 1935 - 1942

Editor: Here we have Bernard Westmacott's "Candle Holder," created sometime between 1935 and 1942. It appears to be a drawing, though the subject itself is metalwork. The rendering of the material is what I find compelling; you can almost feel the weight and the texture of the iron. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see the intersection of labor and domestic life. The crudeness of the metalworking suggests a particular type of labor – perhaps blacksmithing or amateur metalwork, versus the fine work of a silversmith. Think about who might have crafted such an object and in what context. Was this a common design, a personal commission, or even the artist's own creation? Editor: So, you’re focusing on the societal circumstances and not only the aesthetic presentation. Do you mean thinking about who might need something like that? Or what their lives might be like? Curator: Exactly. Considering the date, it lands during the Depression and into the war years. What materials were available? What were people making for themselves versus what they were buying? Consider, too, how light itself would have been a precious commodity. This seemingly simple object speaks volumes about resourcefulness and necessity, but also, dare I say it, the enduring desire for beauty in even the most utilitarian of objects. It also reminds us of the critical contribution of the crafts in creating items for personal use or local trade during times of hardship. Editor: I see it now. It’s not *just* a candle holder. It’s a window into a specific time, place, and set of material constraints. Thinking about the metalwork like that totally transforms my view of the drawing itself. Curator: And isn't it fascinating how a simple object can reveal so much? Thinking about materials, process and the social environment brings new dimensions to understanding and experiencing art.