Combination Peg Lamp/Candleholder c. 1937

John Cutting made this combination peg lamp and candleholder out of graphite and watercolor. It's like looking at something functional, but also kind of odd. I love how the light is painted; it's all about the surface, the sheen. You can almost feel the metallic texture of this strange hybrid object. See how the color shifts on the curves? You can tell the artist was really observing how light plays. There is something about the way the candleholder arm swerves that brings Miro to mind, he also made a lot of work that was both functional and surreal. It's a reminder that art isn't just about grand statements, but also about the joy of looking closely. Art is like a conversation, always echoing and transforming.