Bell 1900 - 1950

This Bell was crafted out of iron by Kabre. I see a flat surface with a handle on top and a small stub at the bottom. Its surface has these brown, linear marks that seem to radiate from the center. I think about the artist’s hand, smoothing the metal, coaxing that texture out of something solid and unforgiving. The hand-held nature of the bell interests me too. Did Kabre feel a connection between body and object? Maybe the repetitive motion of its creation was almost meditative, transforming this metal into something useful and beautiful. But the muted palette suggests something more somber and contemplative too. Perhaps it's a reminder of the labor, and the history of the material itself. I like to think of artists like Kabre being in conversation across time, with each artwork building upon the ideas and inspirations of those who came before.