Crock c. 1938

Curator: So, what’s catching your eye right now? For me, it’s Frank Fumagalli's "Crock," dating back to around 1938. The artist worked with watercolors and paints for this composition. Editor: It’s humble, I think. Visually quiet, with these muted earthy tones… but there is something grounding, too, about its straightforward presentation of such a utilitarian object. It reminds me of the work of other regionalist painters such as Thomas Hart Benton, maybe not as obviously political but still a subtle homage to everyday life? Curator: "Humble" is such a lovely word for it. I see this particular crock as having its own secret little song. Its rounded body is just waiting to be strummed. There's something musical, you know? The dark lines of the painted bird singing on its side... and those wispy stems just feel so light, even whimsical. Editor: Definitely seeing echoes of folk art. Given the era, and these deliberately "rough-hewn" decorations, do you think there might also be an intended celebration of traditional crafts against mass production? Fumagalli appears to suggest an anti-capitalistic sensibility through form as well as subject, right? Curator: Anti-capitalistic? I love that! Though, truthfully, when I look at the crock, I don't think I'm quite getting those things specifically. What moves me is the intimacy, it’s an honoring of simpler times and of nature, maybe a personal reflection of resilience during times of strife. Editor: And don't you feel that is how the political becomes visible in visual arts? Curator: Maybe. Editor: To me, viewing it from an activist perspective allows us to better consider art's relevance. Thinking about the artist as someone with intentionality matters, whether or not the intentions behind that work can be considered explicitly. What is interesting to me is that perhaps by appreciating art we could appreciate the historical milieu? Curator: I suppose it depends on your interpretation. For me, there is more of an interest in emotion than information here. Editor: See? Those contrasting views and opinions can show us what we are trying to tell, right? I agree that these colors sing out, making us wonder how our reading of paintings varies depending on experiences. It can depend on someone's cultural and theoretical experiences. Thanks for such an interesting perspective, really! Curator: Oh, thanks to you for showing us more on this beauty!