Fragment of Shaker Hall Rug c. 1937

Charles Goodwin made this drawing of a Fragment of Shaker Hall Rug with graphite and colored pencil. He has patiently rendered the textures and subtle color variations in the woven fabric. It's clear Goodwin understands artmaking as a deeply process-oriented activity. I love the way he captures the material qualities of the rug. The texture is palpable; you can almost feel the roughness of the weave. The colors are muted, earthy tones, with blues and reds adding depth, creating an emotional experience of warmth and familiarity. The drawing's focus is on a damaged area, with frayed edges and loose threads hanging. This is particularly interesting, because it invites us to consider the history and the labor that is embedded in this humble object. Goodwin's work reminds me of Vija Celmins' meticulous drawings of mundane objects like rocks and shells. Like Celmins, Goodwin elevates the ordinary to the extraordinary through close observation and careful rendering. It's a reminder that art is not just about grand gestures but also about paying attention to the small, overlooked details of our everyday lives.