Shaker Infirmary Cap c. 1936

Editor: This is a watercolor and pencil drawing on paper titled "Shaker Infirmary Cap" by Alice Stearns, created around 1936. I'm struck by the delicate rendering of what seems like very utilitarian object. How do you interpret this work? Curator: As a materialist, I’m particularly interested in the labor embedded in this representation. Consider the Shakers’ commitment to craft, the skill involved in both producing the cap itself, likely from locally sourced materials, and then meticulously depicting it in watercolor and pencil. What does it tell us about the value placed on both manual work and its documentation? Editor: That's an interesting point. I hadn't really considered the relationship between making the actual cap and then making this drawing of it. It's like a double layer of craftsmanship. Curator: Exactly! And think about the social context. This is an infirmary cap, indicating a space of care and healing. How does the choice of materials – the humble paper, watercolor, and pencil – and the precise, almost clinical, depiction of the object contribute to our understanding of the Shaker community's values concerning labor, care, and potentially, even a rejection of overt display of wealth through art? Editor: So you're suggesting that the medium and style chosen are directly linked to the Shaker values of simplicity and practicality? Curator: Precisely. The act of drawing this cap becomes an act of preserving and validating their material culture, making a statement about their way of life. It also elevates everyday work through artistic representation. Is this merely representation or does it point towards active labour itself? Editor: I see, it's about understanding how art, even something that seems straightforward, is intertwined with social practices and beliefs. Thank you, that gives me a totally different perspective on it. Curator: And for me, it's a reminder to consider how we continue to assign value to different forms of labor in contemporary art and society.