Shoe 1935 - 1942

Curator: This subtle watercolor and pencil drawing, simply titled "Shoe," was created by Jessie M. Benge sometime between 1935 and 1942. What strikes you about it? Editor: Initially, I’m struck by the starkness. It feels almost like a blueprint, yet there’s a delicateness in the shading of the single shoe that elevates it. Curator: I think that juxtaposition is key. Consider the historical context. This piece was created during the Depression era; the very act of rendering something as commonplace as a shoe becomes almost…political. Who has shoes? Who doesn't? What kind of labor went into making them? Editor: That's interesting. My eye goes straight to the details, thinking of labor and materials. Look at the meticulous rendering of the leather, the way light hits it. It speaks of craft, of someone intimately familiar with the processes of shoemaking. It prompts reflection about mass production versus artisanal methods. Curator: And think about the symbolism. The shoe, traditionally associated with walking, journey, status. In this rendering, devoid of a figure, it becomes a stand-in for human experience, particularly those experiences shaped by economic hardship. Its mere existence becomes a subtle form of protest. Editor: Exactly! We can examine the "means of production" metaphorically as much as literally. The minimalist approach challenges notions of fine art. Why render a shoe, of all things, with such focused attention? Curator: That's a central question! It pushes back against classist norms, saying, "Every object, every individual, deserves visibility and dignity." It is an interesting look at both art and labor. Editor: Well, looking closer, it definitely invites introspection regarding class, gendered expectations around clothing, and the artistry hidden in everyday items. Thanks for your perspective! Curator: Likewise. Considering our brief discussion, hopefully the drawing highlights how even seemingly simple depictions carry deeper layers of social and artistic meaning.