Weather Vane - Cock c. 1938

Editor: This is "Weather Vane - Cock," a watercolor and colored pencil drawing from around 1938. What strikes me is how solid and almost monumental the artist has made this everyday object appear, especially given the delicacy of the medium. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's interesting you say "monumental." A weather vane, traditionally, does hold a certain significance. The rooster itself is an ancient symbol, often associated with vigilance, courage, even resurrection. It appears across many cultures. Does it speak to you of any particular narrative? Editor: I suppose I hadn't thought about the rooster beyond its simple barnyard association, more decorative than deeply meaningful. Curator: Consider its placement on the vane. It isn't just decorative, it's a guardian, a diviner of the winds, isn't it? It has the cultural memory of signaling both danger and dawn. It bridges earth and sky. What feeling does this bring forth, realizing that its cultural meanings existed for generations? Editor: So, it’s not just about predicting the weather but almost declaring it, taking a stance? This gives a new dimension to seeing it only as a mere barnyard animal. It feels more defiant now, announcing something important. Curator: Exactly. The artist has tapped into this deeper symbolic language. By depicting it in such detail, Selma Sandler compels us to remember the potent, multilayered meanings embedded in the most common imagery. What do you make of that tension, between the ordinary object and its richer past? Editor: I hadn't thought of a weather vane holding so much symbolism. Thanks, that’s given me a lot to think about! Curator: Indeed, recognizing these layers really enriches our understanding.