Baptismal Bowl c. 1939

Beverly Chichester made this 'Baptismal Bowl' using watercolour. I imagine Chichester sitting, carefully building the many faceted surfaces of the bowl. She delicately layers the blue washes, capturing its refractive qualities. It reminds me of the colour experiments of Josef Albers, where colour seems to emerge from the surface through the careful placement of hues. I wonder what she might have been thinking as she painted, lost in the reflective qualities of the glass. The careful application of the paint evokes a sense of reverence and consideration. It seems to me that, for Chichester, the act of painting becomes a form of contemplation and devotion. It seems as if she wants us to consider the object and its significance. I can imagine other artists throughout time who have found inspiration in the play of light and color on everyday objects. Through their work, we learn to see the world anew.