Mortar and Pestle c. 1937

Gerald Transpota made this painting of a mortar and pestle using watercolor, and it's all about process. You can see the way he's built up the form with layers and layers of thin washes, letting the color shift and change. It's interesting to think about the materiality of this piece. The smooth surface of the paper contrasts with the rough, almost worn texture he creates on the mortar and pestle, right? Look closely at the rim of the mortar, where the paint's a little darker, a little thicker. It's like he's really felt the weight and age of this object. The earthy colors and the way he’s used light and shadow give it a solid, sculptural presence. This reminds me of Giorgio Morandi's still lifes, with their quiet contemplation of everyday objects. And, like Morandi, Transpota finds something profound in the simple act of looking. There's no one way to read this work. It's open to interpretation, like all good art should be.