Churn c. 1941

Editor: This watercolor and charcoal piece, titled "Churn" by Ardella Watkins, dates back to about 1941. The first thing that strikes me is the subject itself: such a common, utilitarian object rendered with care. What's your perspective on this piece? Curator: Well, let’s consider this “Churn” in the context of labor and production. Watkins highlights a simple tool, integral to rural life, yet often overlooked. What does it mean to elevate this object, this instrument of daily labor, to the realm of art? Think about the unseen work behind the food we consume. Editor: It's interesting to think about labor in this way, especially how the artist uses these refined techniques – watercolor and charcoal – to depict a rough, wooden object. Curator: Exactly. The materiality of the churn itself contrasts with the artist's materials. The wood suggests a specific history of production, of logging and crafting, and the human energy required for it. This echoes in the "churning" of art itself: The artist "works" their craft into watercolor to bring forth an image that makes us think and remember. What do you make of that tension? Editor: It hadn’t occurred to me, but it does create an interesting conversation on labor! This representation elevates a very practical object, traditionally absent in artistic depictions. It seems to suggest everything has artistic merit. Curator: Precisely! Watkins seems to blur the boundaries between high art and the everyday object, prompting us to examine the value we assign to different forms of work and different materials. Thank you, this insight offers a novel dimension to viewing and understanding art and its societal reflections.