Door Stop c. 1937

Archie Thompson made this Door Stop, but we don't know exactly when. It's crafted from cast iron, an industrial material most often associated with mass production. This piece exemplifies the complex relationship between industry and artistry. The detailed castings create the texture of the cats' fur, and capture their endearing expressions. While the iron provides the necessary weight to serve as a functional doorstop, it also allowed Thompson to produce identical copies of this design, speaking to the rise of consumer culture. The work's material, a sturdy iron, contrasts with the sentimentality of the subject matter. By using a common industrial material to create an object that straddles the line between sculpture and functional object, Thompson challenges conventional notions of both art and design. It prompts us to consider how everyday objects can embody artistic expression.