Trivet 1935 - 1942

Editor: So, here we have Edna Rex’s "Trivet," likely made between 1935 and 1942, a drawing with watercolor. It strikes me as such an ordinary object, rendered with surprising care. What catches your eye? Curator: The trivet itself, though commonplace, serves as a potent symbol of domesticity and resourcefulness, wouldn't you agree? Think of it - protecting surfaces, enabling shared meals. Editor: Absolutely, the humble object at the heart of the home. But I wonder if there’s something more to it. Curator: Indeed. Rex's rendering, isolating this object, almost elevates it to a totem. Consider its triangular form – triangles often signify stability, but also aspiration. And look at the choice of media: watercolour, often associated with fragility and the ephemeral, applied to a utilitarian object made of metal. It suggests the beauty found in everyday life and resilience. Editor: So, you are saying it speaks to both the functional and the symbolic weight of simple, overlooked objects? Curator: Precisely. The trivet, in its form and function, carries cultural memory. It's not just an object; it's a quiet echo of shared meals, family, and the simple elegance of the everyday. Don’t you find the almost obsessive attention to detail somewhat revealing? What might it suggest? Editor: It’s almost like she is honouring it, imbuing a regular item with great value! It's really interesting to see it from this point of view. Thanks. Curator: My pleasure! It's amazing what symbols reveal when we learn to look beneath the surface.