Woman's Gaters 1935 - 1942

Mary Berner made Woman's Gaters with graphite and colored pencil, we don't know exactly when. Look at the careful marks! You can see the process, the gentle pressure of the pencil building up the image. It's so straightforward, but also has a quiet, meditative vibe. The drawing is small, but it's got this incredible texture. The graphite creates a soft, almost velvety surface, while the colored pencil adds these little jolts of bright, playful energy. I keep coming back to the pink edging. It's such a simple touch, but it completely transforms the piece. It's like Berner is saying, "Yes, this is a functional object, but it's also beautiful, and deserves to be celebrated." It reminds me a bit of some of the pattern paintings of Philip Taaffe, or maybe even the textiles of Gee’s Bend quilters – this sense of taking something ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary through careful attention and a love of materials. It’s a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places.