Table, Patrick Henry 1935 - 1942

Editor: Looking at this piece, "Table, Patrick Henry" made between 1935 and 1942 by Edna C. Rex using watercolors, I'm struck by its simplicity and the focus on what seems like an everyday object. What story can we tell about this seemingly mundane furniture? Curator: It's a Regionalist watercolor drawing. It is less about the idealized aesthetics and more about highlighting everyday objects in a particular place and time. The medium itself—watercolor—is crucial here, affordable and accessible, thus aligning with a democratic vision of art-making and the materials involved in producing a representation of a "Table." Editor: A democratic vision… interesting! Does that also relate to the subject being a table? Curator: Absolutely. A table is functional, it implies labor, meals, gathering. How is the labor that produces it, or that revolves around the activities that happens around a table presented or obscured by the artist? And it is not a random table. This watercolor presents us with a reproduction of a historic antique that invokes images of colonialism and the founding fathers. Editor: So, Rex is pointing out the complexities inherent in everyday American life during that time, even in something as simple as a watercolor of a table? Curator: Precisely! The choice of subject matter, medium, and style all contribute to an understanding of the artistic practices of this era but, equally important, provides insight into its socio-political context. The materiality speaks volumes. Think about the role this ‘artifact’ had, or might have had. The question of “making” should be as much about woodworking and handicraft, than drawing and artmaking. Editor: I see. So by considering the materials and means of production, both of the table itself and the watercolor, we get a richer understanding of the artwork’s significance. Thanks for helping me understand that! Curator: It was a pleasure to bring attention to labor, materiality, and how the table might stand as both useful object and loaded cultural symbol!