Chalkware Dog c. 1941

Curator: Here we have "Chalkware Dog", a painting crafted circa 1941 by Sadie Berman, utilizing watercolor and drawing techniques. Editor: My first thought? Resignation. This little guy just looks so forlorn, so accepting of his… existence. Curator: Chalkware dogs such as these, in the early to mid-20th century, served as emblems of domesticity and accessible artistry, adorning mantelpieces in homes across America. Their presence signified not only a love for pets, but also aspirations of a middle-class lifestyle. Editor: The redness around the dog’s collar stands out, framing the face. I wonder if this signifies control and ownership, but also speaks of care and identity of belonging in relationship to societal roles. Curator: They certainly speak to an element of Americana, appearing as these statuettes do in various commercial forms, like advertising. Consider how gender roles would have been emphasized, women typically being associated with decorating, domestic work. I suspect this influenced its cultural position, its place in American households, you could even extend it into questions about power, gender, even racialized domestic labor... Editor: And perhaps even to children’s rooms, promoting an innocent perspective towards issues of control and labor through art objects like this dog. Were people even aware? Curator: They were generally seen as harmless decorative objects; mass media normalizing roles. Also, their widespread availability allowed for cross-cultural adoption and visibility. So regardless, an aesthetic element had spread throughout the USA in ways that simply hadn’t happened before. Editor: Right, which also created uniformity, expectations that were, for a large portion of society, economically out of reach! Anyway, Berman has offered a chance to really unpack domestic life in wartime America, where ideals are on show. Curator: Indeed. So while "Chalkware Dog" presents a snapshot of 1940s Americana, its enduring appeal resides in its simple composition, resonating as much in a sociological way with our current context. Editor: What stands out for me is that while "Chalkware Dog" captures an unpretentious moment in time, the way it underscores belonging speaks volumes about social standards and control and should keep challenging how we engage in a contemporary dialogue.