Drum still bank c. mid 20th century

This 'Drum still bank' was fabricated by the Ohio Art Company sometime after 1908, and I’m guessing it was made with industrial printing techniques on metal. What a charming object! It's so vibrant, with its colorful designs and playful imagery of a boy and a horse, like a little circus rolling through town. It makes me think about the materiality of things. It’s metal, not canvas, but still feels like it belongs to the world of visual art. I can only imagine the artists at Ohio Art Co. dreaming up new and exciting forms of expression. The patterns and colours evoke a feeling of childlike wonder and nostalgia. It is a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places, blurring the boundaries between utility and decoration, between play and purpose. It's a conversation between design and art.