Watch Chain 1935 - 1942

Editor: So this is Edna Rex's "Watch Chain," a watercolor and colored pencil drawing made between 1935 and 1942. It’s a beautifully rendered, almost photorealistic image of what seems to be… well, a watch chain. I find its simplicity quite striking. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The mundane, the everyday—Rex elevates this ordinary object to something worthy of contemplation. But consider the timeframe, the late 1930s and early 1940s. What societal values might a seemingly simple item like a watch chain represent? Think about notions of time, labor, and even class. Editor: I hadn't thought about that! The chain could symbolize a working man's connection to industrial labor, keeping track of time in a factory setting. Or maybe even the absence of such work, given the Depression era. Curator: Exactly! And Rex, as a woman artist working during this period, subtly critiques these societal norms. Does this representation of a "masculine" object challenge traditional gender roles? What is she trying to say about women in the workplace? By depicting such a piece so meticulously, she draws attention to its inherent, quiet presence. Editor: That’s fascinating. It’s almost like she’s reclaiming this object, inviting us to question its associations with male authority and the world of work dominated by men. I never would have considered those implications just looking at it. Curator: These everyday objects tell silent stories, particularly when filtered through an artist’s unique lens. Editor: It's amazing how one object, seen through different perspectives, can unlock such layered narratives about the artist and the world around them. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, it’s about continually re-contextualizing art, prompting dialogue on larger socio-political ideas.