Clothes Pin c. 1938

This is Ralph Atkinson’s rendering of a commonplace clothespin. Immediately, we see its forked form. The humble clothespin, often unnoticed, symbolizes domesticity and the labour involved in maintaining order. Consider the ancient Roman fasces, bundles of rods bound together, symbolizing power and unity. Similarly, the clothespin binds fabric, keeping things in place. The very act of hanging clothes to dry, harnessing natural elements to purify and cleanse, mirrors ancient rituals of purification and renewal. The clothespin also evokes a sense of precariousness. It grips, but can easily release. A gust of wind, a moment's inattention, and the laundry falls. The image can be interpreted as a poignant reminder of our own transient existence and the constant need to secure our place in the world. The evolution and persistence of such forms remind us that human ingenuity is always tied to essential needs. The clothespin binds us to a history of domesticity and resourcefulness.