Handcuffs 1935 - 1942

Al Curry made this watercolor of handcuffs sometime in the 20th century. There’s something haunting about this image, it is isolated on the page, floating in the creamy off-white ground like a memory. The handcuffs are presented frontally and centrally, rendered in meticulous detail, with each mark contributing to the overall image. The colors are muted, mainly browns and tans, which adds to the work's solemn and historical feeling. Looking closely, the watercolor is applied in thin, transparent washes, allowing the paper's surface to shine through. This gives the image a delicate, almost ethereal quality, which contrasts sharply with the harsh reality of what the object represents. Curry’s close attention to detail, especially the subtle rust and wear on the metal, transforms a symbol of oppression into an object of contemplation. It reminds me a little of Charles Demuth’s industrial scenes, but with a much more personal feel. Ultimately, this painting leaves you with more questions than answers, which is perhaps the point.