Onion Kettle c. 1937

Editor: This is Harry Jennings’ "Onion Kettle," made around 1937. It’s a charcoal and watercolor drawing. It’s really interesting to see such a humble object rendered with so much care. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, considering the date, c. 1937, and the medium, I am struck by the elevation of a commonplace object – a utilitarian kettle – to the realm of art. This suggests a focus on the material realities of everyday life during that time. Think about the social context – the Depression era. Editor: That’s a good point! The focus is the tool and its potential sustenance. Curator: Precisely. It draws attention to the value of even the most ordinary tools and resources, implying that significance can be found in the simplest aspects of working class life. Look closely at the charcoal. Do you think Jennings is highlighting the artistic process itself by using an accessible medium like charcoal? Editor: I think so. I mean charcoal is a raw material. Maybe it speaks to the directness and the manual labor involved, unlike, say, oil painting. Curator: Yes, absolutely. And watercolor is affordable too. This challenges a hierarchical view of art and craft by bringing both together. We have these raw materials and everyday labor showcased through it. Is it perhaps even a reflection of how people in this period valued materiality over artistry? Editor: It could be both really. Looking at this I now see beyond the simplistic shape to something that holds a very real, very weighty significance. Curator: Exactly. It urges us to think about production and consumption habits, and the inherent dignity of the working class. This approach emphasizes the materiality, manual processes and challenges traditional boundaries in fine art, shifting value.