Hand Loom c. 1936

Frederick Jackson's rendering of a 'Hand Loom' appears to have been composed with watercolor on paper. When I look at this piece, I think of it as a kind of love letter to design. I imagine Jackson was in a quiet room, carefully measuring the original hand loom, trying to capture every detail of its form and function. I feel how much Jackson cares about documenting this object. The color is so even, so precisely rendering a sense of the wood- the brown hue is soft but exact. The gentle waves and zigzags on the loom's frame are delicately rendered, like a secret language known only to the weaver. It reminds me of some of the works of other artists - Agnes Martin with her quiet, meditative grids, or perhaps the functional art of the Bauhaus. I'm struck by the way Jackson prompts us to reflect on the relationship between craft, art, and design. It's a reminder that art isn't just about self-expression, it’s also about engaging with the world around us.