Masher c. 1940

Editor: Here we have Nicholas Amantea's "Masher," made around 1940, in pencil. It's quite a straightforward depiction, almost stark. What catches your eye when you look at it? Curator: What immediately strikes me is the attention given to the materials and their transformation. We see the raw wood of the handle contrasted with the patinated metal of the masher's head. Think about the labour involved in transforming raw materials into a functional object like this. Editor: So you’re focusing on how it’s made, more than, say, its aesthetic appeal? Curator: Exactly! Consider the division of labor – who crafted the wooden handle versus the metal head? Was this mass-produced or handmade? The very act of depicting this everyday object in a drawing elevates its status, prompting us to consider its production and its place within the social context of its time. Editor: I see what you mean. Looking at the drawing itself, do the different textures represented speak to you at all? Curator: Absolutely. Amantea meticulously renders the texture of the wood grain, evidencing an understanding of material culture, and even perhaps an argument for the importance of craft against mass-produced items of the 40's. Each pencil stroke acts as a testament to the artist's own labor, echoing the labor embedded in the object itself. Editor: It's like he's paying homage to the unseen work behind everyday objects. Curator: Precisely! This simple kitchen tool, elevated through representation, reveals a whole world of making, labor, and material transformation. Hopefully, our discussion has brought awareness of value, both functional and social.