Mortar c. 1940

Hester Duany created this drawing, "Mortar", with graphite and watercolor. At first glance, the earthy tones and careful rendering of texture give the object a weighty presence on the page. Duany meticulously delineates the mortar's form through a series of horizontal lines, each subtly indicating its circumference. The interplay of light and shadow across the textured surface speaks to the object's material history, hinting at its age and use. The cracks and worn edges add a tactile dimension, inviting us to consider the countless actions it has facilitated. Through her study, Duany invites us to examine the poetics of the everyday object. The mortar becomes more than a tool. It stands as a testament to human ingenuity, endurance, and our ongoing dialogue with the material world. This is an object that carries stories within its form.