Spur c. 1940

Curator: Here we have R.J. De Freitas’ watercolor and drawing titled “Spur,” circa 1940. It's quite striking. Editor: My immediate impression is one of subdued craftsmanship. The subdued palette and intricate details suggest a story beyond its functional purpose. There is a great emphasis on materiality as well. Curator: Exactly. Considering its historical context, this piece might be viewed as an artifact of a bygone era of ranching, and horsemanship. Its depiction could reflect the values placed on tools like these. Editor: Yes, the object’s social context and symbolic meanings are fascinating. Note how the artist's skill elevates an ordinary tool, highlighting the labor and skill invested in making a practical piece also pleasing. Curator: We should consider the piece as part of a cultural narrative. How does this relatively small artwork fit into representations of the cowboy figure? Does its medium reflect class and art making practices of the period? Editor: The question then is: why choose to render this particular item? Its creation suggests not only appreciation for craftsmanship but also a connection to an older way of life now transformed in an urbanising world. Perhaps De Freitas aimed to comment on evolving industrial production? Curator: That opens up possibilities for thinking about the spur in its role in our collective memory. Museums preserve pieces just like these, underscoring how objects communicate cultural identity, power, and even nostalgia across generations. Editor: I agree; focusing on art this way helps us engage critically with our past. By reflecting on material objects of history, we can ask about what narratives have dominated mainstream representation and visibility in social spaces. Curator: Thinking about it, these layers of meaning add a depth to such an intimate drawing, inviting more reflection. Editor: Absolutely. The social resonance of this tool tells as much as its material features about cultural labor, life and legacy.