Funnel c. 1936

Charles Garjian made this drawing of a funnel, we don't know when, with what looks like graphite on paper. It’s amazing how he’s built up tone with these tiny marks, right? Look how each one sits next to the other, creating light and shadow. It’s like he's built it up slowly, a bit at a time. I find it fascinating how he’s translated something so functional into art. This isn't just a drawing of a funnel; it's about the process of seeing and recording. I love the smaller diagrammatic drawing. It looks like an architect's technical plan, or a precise rendering of a tool. It’s all about careful looking, and translating three dimensions into two, you know? This drawing reminds me a little of Vija Celmins's meticulous renderings of everyday objects. Both artists elevate the mundane, inviting us to see the world with fresh eyes, and to appreciate the labor involved in that process of looking. Art is an ongoing conversation, and Charles Garjian has something interesting to say about how we perceive the world.