Fan c. 1938

Editor: This is "Fan," a watercolor and charcoal drawing by Edna C. Rex, made around 1938. It's striking how realistic the fan appears, almost photographic, despite being rendered with such delicate mediums. What jumps out at you? Curator: What strikes me is the intentional display of what seems like a utilitarian object. During the 1930s, there was a strong emphasis on American regionalism, particularly in art produced under the Works Progress Administration. Were these items used or displayed? How might the image function to elevate and idealize ordinary rural life? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn’t thought about it in terms of the WPA. The details are beautiful but, at first glance, it appears fairly mundane. Curator: Exactly! And that’s precisely what is so interesting to me. In that period, did this object function beyond the practical? Were Native American-made crafts and other indigenous art being seen as worthy subjects within artistic and cultural circles? Also, think about gender dynamics—the domestic sphere was largely within women's purview at the time, yet male artists are typically represented. What do you make of a female artist centering on an object often associated with women? Editor: I see what you mean. It could be Rex reclaiming that space, highlighting the beauty in the everyday lives of women and native artisans when popular artistic narratives may have focused on more traditionally 'masculine' or historical subject matter. It makes me wonder how this work was initially received by the art world establishment. Curator: Precisely! Considering who holds power within art institutions, reflecting on visibility and value, encourages more nuanced understandings about artworks. We should ask how images, particularly by under-represented groups, like Edna C. Rex, are shown in the present and in the future. Editor: That contextual background really transforms how I see the drawing now. Thanks so much. Curator: My pleasure. There is a lot of beauty revealed through deeper understandings about visual representation and politics of imagery.