Toy Noah's Ark c. 1937

Curator: This vibrant folk-art piece is "Toy Noah's Ark," dating from around 1937. Chris Makrenos rendered it using watercolor and coloured pencil, exhibiting the simple pleasures of figuration through narrative art. Editor: My first thought is a sense of hopeful naivete. The composition feels almost dreamlike, especially with that muted background contrasting the lively assembly of animals and the ark itself. Curator: The socio-political context here is crucial. The late 1930s were a period of great anxiety, with the rise of fascism and the looming shadow of World War II. Consider the Biblical story—a narrative of destruction followed by renewal. Editor: Yes, seeing it within the framework of impending global conflict does add weight to the symbolism. This image could be viewed as an intentional statement during times of pervasive unrest. The ark itself, seemingly cobbled together, implies that faith might reside in imperfection. Curator: I think you've struck upon a vital point: The “folksy-ness” in its making carries within it an echo of the era's resourcefulness. We see this especially in the deliberately flattened perspective and almost archetypal rendering of form. These two people beside the boat seem equally simple but perhaps more sinister somehow. Editor: The artist uses colours deliberately; a somewhat naive depiction of human existence, a call back to a pivotal shared mythology as a society attempting to withstand an oncoming storm, even if the attempt may ultimately be insufficient. Curator: I agree that the artwork resonates as a fascinating look into the relationship between artistic production and public sentiments in a particular historical moment. Editor: I think understanding that relationship offers another vantage point on folk art's intrinsic social relevance during unsettling chapters of existence.