Lunch Counter c. 1935 - 1943

This black and white linocut, called "Lunch Counter," was made by Minnie Lois Murphy sometime in the mid-20th century. The stark contrast between black and white is what grabs you first. This isn't about subtle shading; it's about the bold statement of line, and the shapes created through their arrangement. The lines themselves are fascinating. They give form, but they also have a life of their own, like in the dress of the central figure. It flows, creating volume but also abstraction, almost as if the figure is melting into the scene. And the texture! You can almost feel the grooves and ridges that create this pattern, can't you? Murphy’s printmaking reminds me a little of Kathe Kollwitz, with its social commentary and the expressive use of black and white. But there is a lightness here, a playful take on a familiar scene. Art, it seems, isn't just about telling a story, but about how we choose to tell it. It's a conversation across time, where one artist speaks to another, each with their own unique voice and vision.