-Hoop-La Bank- mechanical bank c. 1897 - 1929

This mechanical bank was made by John Harper & Company, Ltd., though we don't know exactly when. It's cast iron, painted with these somewhat faded colors. The clown is a kind of faded mustard yellow with red accents, and the barrel is red like old blood, you know? The whole thing feels almost like a dream. The surface is so alive, you can see and feel the history in every nook and cranny. The way the paint is worn away shows how much this thing was used. It wasn't just sitting pretty on a shelf; it was part of someone's life. Look at the dog, the way he is caught mid-jump. It reminds me of when you are drawing and you get a mark that's so right it makes you feel a shiver of excitement. It’s like an early Martin Kippenberger sculpture, using humor and irony to engage with darker themes. Art is all about this kind of conversation. It's never really about answers, is it? More about questions.