Iron Bank c. 1942

Here, Stella Mosher gives us Iron Bank, likely in watercolor, on paper. This is a folksy image, simple and direct. I get the feeling that Stella Mosher relished in the process of observing the forms and then recreating them, in her own way, on the page. The colours are muted, like an old photograph, but the bright red dome pops, suggesting the dreams of wealth and security that a bank represents. The bank building itself is drawn with a kind of childlike precision. I love the way the lattice windows almost seem to float in front of the building, adding a layer of depth. This is something that someone who is interested in how things really look might not consider, but it speaks to the way the Stella Mosher sees the world, not necessarily as it is, but as she experiences it. And then there’s the cashier’s desk – a charmingly awkward miniature. It reminds me a little of Red Grooms’s sculptural renderings of urban life, full of wobbly charm and humor. Ultimately, there’s a real feeling of openness in this work, embracing the imperfections and quirks that make a work of art truly special.