Silver Sugar Tongs 1935 - 1942

This drawing of ‘Silver Sugar Tongs’ was made by Kalamian Walton, we don’t know when, but it’s a straightforward drawing in pencil on paper. Look closely and you’ll see that the artist hasn’t tried to hide their process. You can see the graphite marks that build up the form of the object. The shading isn’t blended. Instead, it’s all about the layering of tiny marks, and that gives a feeling of the artist working slowly, thoughtfully, perhaps even meditatively. I’m drawn to the way the light reflects off the silver. Notice how Walton captures this quality using only a limited tonal range. The surface has a beautiful, soft sheen. The shell-like pincers of the sugar tongs are particularly compelling. The artist uses the marks to create a feeling of depth and texture, so you almost want to reach out and touch them. It reminds me a little of the drawings of Vija Celmins, in their attention to detail and close observation. Walton's work, like Celmins', teaches us to look more closely, and to appreciate the beauty in everyday objects. It’s about a sustained engagement with the process of looking and drawing, and the quiet rewards it brings.