Tewer or Cupboard c. 1938

Sarah F. Williams' 'Tewer or Cupboard' is a watercolour rendering, a delicate, precise mapping of a familiar object. I'm immediately drawn to the way each form is meticulously outlined, almost diagrammatic, yet softened with subtle variations in tone and colour. I can imagine Sarah, hunched over her drawing board, squinting to capture the grain of the wood, the play of light on the metal hinges. What was she thinking as she laboured over this piece? Was it a simple exercise in observation, or a deeper exploration of form and function? The limited palette of browns and greys, almost monochromatic, lends a sense of quietude and reverence to the everyday. It makes me think of Agnes Martin's minimalist grids, or even Giorgio Morandi's still lifes – a similar focus on the subtle nuances of form and tone. Like them, Williams transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary, inviting us to see the beauty in the mundane. It is the kind of quiet, steady work that I think has much to teach us today.