Kettle c. 1936

Editor: Here we have "Kettle," a colored-pencil drawing made around 1936 by Tabea Hosier. The object is so humble, a simple kettle. I find the intense focus on it almost… endearing. What catches your eye about it? Curator: What interests me most is how this rendering elevates a commonplace object through close observation and skilled handling of materials. Consider the labor involved in creating such a detailed image. Each pencil stroke is a testament to the artist’s dedication. Editor: I hadn’t considered the work *behind* the work in that way. It is true that colored pencil isn’t forgiving. Curator: Exactly. And why elevate a kettle? This drawing prompts questions about value—what do we deem worthy of artistic representation, and why? A kettle represents a working class tool, used in repetitive labor. Is there a statement about this daily work and what is ‘beautiful’? Editor: I suppose I see your point! Is the focus on materiality a sort of democratization of art, highlighting what's usually overlooked in favor of the grand narrative? Curator: Precisely. It pushes us to consider the socio-economic implications embedded within artistic choices. Think of it as elevating craft, challenging those rigid boundaries that define "high art." Editor: So, it’s not *just* a drawing of a kettle, but an examination of class and the artistic process. Curator: Precisely. We're drawn into a complex web of materiality, labor, and social commentary through the focused depiction of a humble kettle. Editor: That's such a compelling way to see it! It makes you wonder what other everyday objects might have something important to say. Curator: Indeed! And the skill shows us to find the precious in the everyday, by looking at the materials in it.