Coat 1935 - 1942

Jessie M. Benge's "Coat" presents a striking study in colour and form, achieved with watercolour and graphite on paper. The dominant indigo blue of the coat is neatly offset by the careful use of a mauve trim and the ochre ground, creating a subdued yet compelling visual harmony. Benge's approach to design seems steeped in structuralist thought. She uses the basic semiotic elements to investigate the very essence of 'coat-ness'. The meticulous lines and proportions give a sense of functionality, while the sketch on the right deconstructs the garment into its barest form. It is almost an investigation into the 'grammar' of clothing design. Note how the artist’s method destabilizes traditional values of representation. She does not render a coat but investigates the idea 'coat' as an object of utility and aesthetic consideration. The result is a thoughtful exploration of design, inviting us to reconsider the meanings we ascribe to everyday objects.