Dress c. 1937

Frederick Jackson's 'Dress' is, I imagine, made with coloured pencils and ink. The precision in the little marks is captivating, the controlled application of color, the way the pattern conforms to the shape of the dress. It’s almost architectural, in its own way. I love how Jackson gives us the dress in full color, so precise, then offers a simple outline in the background. It's like two ways of seeing in one go. Look closely and you see, especially around the collar and waist, the pattern almost dissolves into abstraction, and the stripes become blurred. Jackson's drawing reminds me of Charles Burchfield, both artists seem to see the world through a unique lens, turning ordinary things into something a bit magical and strange. For me, this piece asks us to see the world not as it is, but as it could be, full of hidden patterns and vibrant life.