Group of Hair Jewelry c. 1937

This sheet of hair jewelry was made with graphite and watercolor by Sylvia Dezon. Look closely, and you'll see how the graphite sets the scene, almost like a stage, upon which Dezon layers on the colors. The watercolor is light and transparent, allowing the graphite to peek through and create a sense of depth. The colors are subdued, earthy tones, which gives the jewelry a sense of history, as if they are relics from a bygone era. The subtle imperfections in the brushwork, the slight tremors in the lines, reveal the artist's hand and infuse the artwork with a human touch. Take the bow, for example, the shading gives it shape and dimension, the detail on the tassels suggests movement. It reminds me of the work of Ree Morton, who made post-minimalist sculptures incorporating elements of personal narrative. Like Morton, Dezon seems to be interested in imbuing everyday objects with a sense of emotion and memory.