Sugar Bowl with Cover c. 1941

Editor: This is "Sugar Bowl with Cover," a watercolor and drawing work by Rose Campbell-Gerke around 1941. It’s interesting; the muted palette gives it a really nostalgic feel. It's quite a simple piece at first glance; what are your initial thoughts when you see this work? Curator: Ah, yes, simple, at first blush. But that simplicity, for me, whispers of quieter mornings, perhaps sun-drenched kitchens during wartime when sweetness was a treat. Notice how she captures light, the way it kisses the ridges of the bowl? What story do *you* think she's telling, through rendering something so utterly quotidian? Editor: I guess, now that you point it out, I see how much attention to detail there is on the form. Maybe it's elevating the everyday, showing the beauty even in functional items? Curator: Exactly! There’s almost a reverence here, a slowing down. Don't you feel the artist is suggesting we observe with more intentionality, appreciate not just the *having* of sweetness but the vessel that holds it? The way art and daily life are interwoven. Do you use sugar? Editor: Sometimes! So, this reminds me to take a closer look at my own everyday objects, give them the consideration they deserve. Curator: Wonderful! It's less about sugar then; It's more of being aware and grateful. We started with simplicity and we now conclude by sweetness in being more mindful of daily lives. It's marvelous isn't it!