Barber Pole c. 1939

Vera Van Voris made this drawing of a Barber Pole on paper, and I’m struck by its earnest, almost childlike simplicity. It's like she's trying to really *see* this everyday object. The red and white stripes twist upwards with a charming imperfection, and I can almost feel the texture of the weathered wood, which is so beautifully captured in the blues and greys near the base. Look how the dark marks streak downwards, like tears or some kind of slow erosion. It makes me think about the passage of time, and how even the most ordinary things carry a history. It is like the barber pole is weeping. This piece reminds me of the work of outsider artists like Bill Traylor, who transformed simple materials into profound expressions. Just like his drawings, there's something deeply human and relatable about Van Voris’s approach. It’s a reminder that art isn't about perfection, it's about seeing the world with fresh eyes.