Silver Sugar Tongs 1935 - 1942

These silver sugar tongs by Kalamian Walton were made with what looks like graphite on paper. Looking at this drawing, I can imagine Walton carefully studying each little detail, those clam-like ends, and the light as it hits the metal. I sympathize with the artist, thinking about how much time must have been spent on this drawing. The subtle shifts in tone and the way the graphite captures the metallic sheen show a real dedication to observation. There’s a delicate touch here. It reminds me a little bit of some of those photorealist painters, but with a much softer, more intimate feel. Walton’s choice of such an everyday object adds a layer of quiet contemplation. What is it about this that caught Walton's attention? How does it relate to the tradition of still life? Ultimately, artists are always in conversation, building on what’s come before, finding new ways to see the world.