Pierced Metal Screen from Confessional c. 1936

Geoffrey Holt made this metal screen from Confessional sometime between 1855 and 1995. It looks like a brown rectangle covered in tiny holes, like a cosmic constellation map or maybe a really abstract face. I'm drawn to the texture, the way the light catches the edges of each tiny puncture. It’s as if each hole is a tiny act of rebellion, a small break in the surface, which brings an emotional element to the work. Think about the hand that made each hole, the repetition and labour involved, it's almost meditative. The pattern in the center feels familiar, a cross shape at the top with a circular pattern repeated below. This makes me think about craft, and the way simple marks can create a whole world. It reminds me of the work of Ree Morton, who also played with craft and found materials, elevating the everyday to the level of art. I love the way the piece embraces imperfection and invites multiple interpretations.