Earthen Pitcher 1935 - 1942

Curator: So, here we have Clyde L. Cheney's "Earthen Pitcher," made sometime between 1935 and 1942, using watercolor and drawing techniques. Editor: It's unassuming, almost like a snapshot of everyday life. How would you interpret this piece beyond its simple depiction? Curator: I see it as a quiet statement on labor and material culture. Think about the Depression era when this was made. What did owning something like a handcrafted pitcher signify? Consider the embodied labor it represents, the knowledge passed down through generations to create something functional and beautiful. What does it evoke for you in terms of resourcefulness? Editor: I guess it makes me think about valuing handmade objects, a contrast to our mass-produced culture now. Almost a quiet act of resistance. Curator: Precisely! Cheney’s choice to depict this specific object at this moment in time invites us to reflect on broader socio-economic issues, doesn’t it? It subtly questions what we deem valuable and worthy of preservation, especially when so many were struggling. What narratives are silenced when we overlook the mundane? Editor: I see what you mean. It's not just a pitcher; it's a vessel of stories, linking past labor practices to present-day conversations about sustainability and conscious consumption. It’s a reminder to interrogate the origins and the hands behind the objects we use daily. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It shows that a single image can hold so much when we contextualize it thoughtfully.