Wrought Iron Door c. 1936

Ray Price drew this ‘Wrought Iron Door’ without a specified date, using graphite, pen and ink on paper. Looking at the density of the marks, I wonder about the state of mind of the artist. It’s a study of an object. In his practice, I wonder if it was important for him to consider functional objects as things of beauty? The density of the wrought iron pattern is balanced with the plainness of the wood doorframe. He seems to have relished drawing the swirls, echoing forms. What was he thinking, making this? It’s such a handcrafted process, I imagine him getting lost in it. In making art, the artist is having a one-on-one with what they’re doing. It’s a kind of conversation with forms, like a dance of seeing and responding. All artists are constantly in conversation and exchange of ideas across time, inspiring one another’s creativity. Ray Price’s drawing emphasizes how art embraces ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations.