Oilers 1938

Editor: William LeRoy Flint’s etching, "Oilers," from 1938, features three men in suits. There's almost a cartoonish quality to their features and postures that feels… satirical. What strikes you most when you look at this piece? Curator: What grabs me is the context. This was created as part of the Federal Art Project, a New Deal program. Consider the implications: artists employed by the government, during the Depression, producing art with, seemingly, a critical social edge. These aren't flattering portraits. Who are these “Oilers,” what does that term evoke, and how does it relate to power structures during that time? The exaggeration of their features, those insistent gestures…does it read as a commentary on the elite? Editor: Definitely. Their gestures seem performative, almost theatrical, like they’re putting on a show of power. So, the flowers on their lapels – are those ironic? Are they some symbol I'm not getting? Curator: That’s an interesting question. Think about the time period, and what symbols of wealth and power might be subverted through art. Are the flowers supposed to soften these figures, or do they amplify the critique? Do they appear harmless, while their actions are not? Considering also, of course, the complete absence of women and minorities here. What assumptions is the artist asking us to question? Editor: That’s true. It's all about the assumptions that are baked into the image itself. I was seeing the surface-level caricature, but not the deeper commentary on social structures and power. Curator: Exactly. It's about engaging with the work on multiple levels, unpacking its historical and social context. How does knowing it was federally funded alter your interpretation? Editor: It adds a whole other layer. A publicly funded critique of the powerful – it feels very relevant, even today. It reminds us that art can be a powerful tool for social commentary, even when it appears understated. Curator: Precisely. Art like this becomes a catalyst, encouraging us to look critically at the world around us and question the narratives being presented. It certainly provides food for thought!