Highboy 1937

Arsen Maralian made this Highboy drawing without a date, using what looks like watercolor on paper. The tones of brown, each meticulously laid down, give the piece a feel like it’s caught between the real object and a ghost of it. You can see the artist figuring out the form as they go, adjusting the shades of the wood, almost as if they are building the furniture, piece by piece, on the page. I like how the flat surface of the paper challenges our sense of space. The tiny, neat pulls on each drawer are cute. And do you notice how the legs aren't quite symmetrical? That little imperfection is where the energy of the piece lies. It reminds me that art is not just about replicating reality, but about processing it, interpreting it, and, more importantly, feeling it. Maralian's work reminds me a bit of the Shaker artists, focusing on the beauty of simple forms and functional objects. It's a quiet conversation across time, about craft, care, and the soulful act of making.