Pipe c. 1939

Malcolm Hackney made this striking pipe sometime between 1855 and 1995 using materials and processes that speak volumes about identity and craft. Painted in what appears to be watercolor, the piece has a curious, almost surreal quality. The artist's meticulous technique captures the texture and form of the pipe. Notice how Hackney has painted hands that seem to morph with the pipe itself. The hands might be interpreted as a reference to labor, alluding to the hands that crafted the pipe. Smoking pipes, were more than just functional objects. They were often symbols of leisure, contemplation, and social connection. Hackney’s choice to depict a pipe in such detail elevates an everyday object to a subject of artistic significance. It challenges the distinction between the fine arts and the crafts. In its intricate detail and thoughtful composition, this artwork emphasizes the importance of understanding an object's material and cultural context.