-T.V. Bank- still bank c. 1950s

This still bank, in the shape of a vintage television, is currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. What strikes me is the anonymity of its maker. It's a reminder that creativity isn't confined to the art world. I can picture the artist, maybe in a workshop, meticulously imprinting the metal with the wood grain effect, a design so evocative of mid-century living rooms. And look at those crisp lines around the screen and the diamond pattern. The graphic is so sharp! It's a humble object but it speaks to the ingenuity and skill of everyday artisans. It's not trying to be profound, but like a well-made folk song, it resonates with simple truths about work, craft, and the quiet beauty of functional objects. We painters can learn a lot from that.