Tufted Candlewick Bedspread c. 1939

Catherine Fowler made this ‘Tufted Candlewick Bedspread’ drawing, but the date is unknown, so we can only imagine how it came into being! Just look at the painstaking, gentle marks that Fowler makes with the pencil. She renders the texture of the bedspread so carefully – it almost feels as though you could touch it! I sympathise with the amount of care and attention it must have taken Fowler to create this work. I wonder if she enjoyed the repetitive, meditative act of drawing each little tuft and flower? I love the contrast between the slightly irregular, hand-drawn qualities of the diamond grid and the floral forms inside it. It's a wonderful celebration of craft, domesticity, and the quiet beauty of everyday objects. It reminds us of the importance of slowing down and appreciating the details in life. Fowler's work speaks to the conversations between artists across time, inspiring us with her patience and delicate touch.