-Monkey on Box- still bank c. 1929

This anonymous "Monkey on Box" still bank, has the peculiar charm of something handmade. The colours are muted, like an old photograph or a memory faded by time. Browns and greys, with that pop of blue, smeared a little, just enough to catch the eye, and the monkey’s red eyes staring right at you. There's a real sense of texture, isn’t there? You can almost feel the rough surface of the box, made to look like wooden planks, each one slightly irregular, like it was put together piece by piece. The way the paint is applied so thickly, not trying to hide anything, it’s all out there. The rusty key hangs down, not quite centered, adding to the feeling that this wasn't made in a factory. It’s imperfect, but that’s what makes it so interesting. This piece reminds me of the work of Forrest Bess, an artist who was also an outsider and an amateur. He did it his way, and made something completely unique. I think there’s something really beautiful in that.