Teapot c. 1938

Douglas Cox's 'Teapot' is a drawing of a teapot. I imagine him creating it, pencil in hand, moving back and forth between the object and the paper, capturing the subtle shifts in light and shadow. The drawing emphasizes the delicate engravings that adorn the teapot. The material aspects of the drawing, the grain of the paper and the graphite lines, create a lovely sense of depth. The artist is thinking about tones; the contrast between dark and light giving volume to the object. That gentle curve of the spout—it's not just a spout, it's a gesture, a pouring out. It evokes the experience of holding and pouring a drink. Maybe, that connects with Cox’s wider practice and body of work. Artists are always building on what came before, and this drawing participates in that same conversation. It’s a reminder that art is always, in some way, about other art, about the ongoing exchange of ideas and inspiration.