Bologna Stuffer c. 1938

Richard Taylor made this rendering of a bologna stuffer with watercolor and graphite on paper. The image captures a device that belongs to the world of food production, representing a blend of design and utility. Notice the wood and metal construction, its textures carefully rendered. The grain of the wood and the cool sheen of the metal introduce a tactile dimension to the artwork. The bologna stuffer's design is simple, with a crank, gears, and a sturdy frame: all elements combine to fulfill its intended purpose. Consider the labor involved in producing bologna, from the raising of livestock to the careful handiwork involved in stuffing the sausage. Taylor prompts us to consider the social context of this device. This is not only the skill of the craftsman who made the device but the unseen labor of those who would have used it.