Earrings and Pendant c. 1936

Curator: Welcome. Here we have a watercolour drawing titled "Earrings and Pendant," dating from around 1936. The artist is Charles Enjoian. Editor: It's charming! I’m struck by how delicate the rendering is, almost ephemeral, yet the composition with those drops of pink suggests such bold, unapologetic femininity. Curator: This piece certainly embodies that Art Deco sensibility, when jewelry designs saw the modernization and abstraction of previous styles, which came with profound changes in society for women. It’s interesting to consider its cultural moment, the rise of mass production influencing even artisanal crafts like jewelry design. Editor: Exactly! It's easy to imagine these pieces gracing a flapper, someone actively challenging conventional norms and embracing their agency. The color suggests so many layers, too - think of how shades of red are simultaneously read as passionate and powerful! Curator: The artist has truly harnessed the capacity for watercolours here, it looks so soft! In examining such renderings of jewelry, we have to consider their role within marketing and accessibility—they served as a promotional tool that made the prospect of luxury attainable for all. Editor: And who has access to these luxury goods then, and who decides what is beautiful? That promotional side you describe really plays into aspirational consumption. You begin to ask, who is wearing the jewelry? Curator: Right, so it could point towards an economic critique. One can definitely discuss jewelry's commodification and circulation in capitalist systems! These items perpetuate ideas of desirability within patriarchal structures. Editor: Precisely. What this brings home is that fashion and aesthetic objects are never purely about surface appearances, they are reflective of deep systemic ideologies. So how can we use it as a statement? Curator: Thinking about how art pieces have evolved, that very concept of using them to resist oppression and communicate has led to new art movements with very strong views. Editor: Yes! Viewing pieces like this gives way to those important discussions and the constant interrogation that inspires creativity and expression, wouldn't you agree? Curator: Indeed! We learn so much more when we critically analyse artworks instead of purely admire. Editor: That really makes the artwork priceless!