Fishermen's Street c. 1935 - 1943

Mary Adeline McKibbin's print "Fishermen's Street" presents an evocative street view, typical of the early 20th century, rendered with remarkable detail. The seemingly banal scene of houses and a distant horizon evokes a sense of silent observation, drawing the viewer into a deeper meditation on everyday life. Note the chimney in the foreground. Chimneys are not only an architectural feature but also symbols of home, hearth, and familial warmth. Chimneys, like the Roman Lares, evoke a sense of belonging and continuity. However, here the chimney is disconnected from a roof, becoming a phallic symbol, disconnected, even comical. This tension between domestic comfort and displaced sexuality charges the scene with an uncanny energy, engaging our subconscious in a way that transcends mere visual recognition. McKibbin uses the cyclical recurrence of domestic icons to convey a broader truth about the human experience, where familiarity and strangeness are inextricably intertwined.