Fruit Dish c. 1936

This "Fruit Dish" by Helmut Hiatt—who lived a good long life, by the way—is a curious object that invites a meandering kind of looking. It's not fancy, but it's got this homespun charm. The whole thing is in monochrome, which allows us to focus on the details. See how the central image, the Massachusetts state emblem, has a certain flatness? But all around it, there is this decorative border, which mixes graphic patterns with these teardrop shapes, creating a rhythm. Now, what I love is how the artist embraced the imperfections. The lines aren't perfectly straight; the shapes are a little wonky. And it gives the piece so much character! The way the different elements are arranged makes me think of some of the early 20th-century collage artists who were experimenting with layering and juxtaposition. It reminds you that making art is just an ongoing conversation with history. You take what you like, mix it up, and make something new.