Fence c. 1941

Rose Campbell-Gerke’s "Fence," created with watercolor and graphite on paper, presents us with an intricate, almost tactile dragon form against a muted backdrop. The composition is dominated by the sinuous curves of the dragon's body, which coils in on itself, creating a sense of dynamic tension. The limited color palette, primarily earth tones, imbues the figure with a sense of antiquity and objecthood. Campbell-Gerke masterfully uses line and shadow to define the dragon’s form, giving it a sculptural presence. The eye is drawn to the dragon's head, where the artist has employed a stark white circle where an eye would be, thereby creating a focal point, emphasizing the gaze of the mythical creature. "Fence" destabilizes conventional notions of representation. The structural interplay between form and void invites us to consider how symbolic forms occupy and define space. It reminds us that art is not just about what is depicted, but how it is depicted.