Mold 1937

This image shows drawings of molds, made by John Wilkes sometime in the 17th century, with an unknown medium. The sepia tones create a feeling of age, like an antique photograph, and invite closer inspection of the artist's process. Look at the upper mold, it appears to be carved from wood, featuring a thistle on the left and a rose on the right. It reminds me of those old butter molds, and you have to wonder, what’s been made in them? The artist captures the texture of the wood so well – the grain, the knots, the imperfections. There's a sense of intimacy here, like Wilkes is sharing a secret with us. The lower mold is more mysterious, with its rows of vertical lines. It almost resembles an architectural plan, or maybe even musical notation. Maybe Agnes Martin, with her exploration of lines and grids would appreciate this piece. Ultimately, ‘Mold’ reminds us that art is about more than just the finished product – it’s about the journey, the process, the conversation between artist and material.