Statuette c. 1939

Yolande Delasser's Statuette is a drawing that captures a sculptural object in tones of cream and blue. There's a wonderful push-pull in the way that she renders the depth of the statuette using line. Delasser's hand really shines in the application of pigment. The blue outline of the figure gives a sense of volume and depth to the body of the work, while also flattening it, making it feel like it's coming off the page. Zooming in on the base, you can see how the pools of blue give character to the sculptural material, making it feel alive. I'm reminded of Elizabeth Murray, who uses similar strategies of colour and form in her paintings to create shapes that occupy a space between figuration and abstraction. Ultimately, what’s special about this piece is that it invites us to see the world through a new lens, to find beauty in the everyday.