Trivet c. 1941

Editor: This drawing of a trivet, dated circa 1941 by Stanley Chin, renders the metal object in incredible detail. I find the heart shape unusual, almost like an arrow is piercing it. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: The heart, often associated with love, undergoes a striking transformation here. Pierced by an arrow-like element and rendered in sturdy metal, it becomes a symbol of resilience, perhaps referencing the hardships faced during that era. Think of the wartime kitchen, the hearth as a symbol of home and survival. What sort of connotations do geometric shapes have? Editor: I suppose geometric shapes usually refer to practicality and purpose… the trivet as purely functional object? Curator: Exactly. Now, notice the drawing style itself: meticulous realism, documenting an object of everyday life. Consider how the artist’s choice elevates a humble object. How might that connect to broader social narratives during wartime? Editor: I hadn’t considered it that way. Maybe it speaks to a collective memory of valuing the simple things? Preserving them as reminders of resilience? Curator: Precisely. These visual choices create layers of meaning beyond the purely representational. What we perceive as a simple drawing reveals intricate ties to memory and continuity of life, doesn't it? Editor: It certainly does! I will never look at simple utensils the same way.