Iron Hardware c. 1936

This is a study of iron hardware by Al Curry, rendered with ink and graphite, and dated sometime between 1855 and 1995. The motifs of hinges, latches, and bolts, common yet profound, secure not just doors and windows, but also our sense of stability. These understated objects are powerful symbols of protection and enclosure, reminiscent of ancient gates guarding sacred spaces, or the clasps on reliquaries, safeguarding holy relics. Consider the door latch; its form echoes the human hand, reaching out, offering either welcome or resistance. This gesture resurfaces in countless forms throughout art history, from the outstretched hand of a Roman emperor offering clemency, to the protective gesture of a Madonna sheltering humanity under her mantle. Such gestures tap into our collective memory, resonating on a subconscious level, evoking primal instincts of safety and connection. These iron elements transcend mere functionality. They are imbued with a psychological weight, suggesting ideas about access and denial that have deep roots in cultural memory. They reflect our universal, cyclical need to define boundaries and safeguard what we hold dear.