Bonnet c. 1937

Al Curry made this painting of a Bonnet, we don’t know when, using watercolor and graphite on paper. Isn’t that a sweet and somehow also slightly strange combination of materials? It's interesting how these studies are displayed from multiple angles, as if the artist is trying to anticipate how the bonnet might be viewed in real life. The dark colours in this work contrast with the intricate details, particularly in the lace and floral elements. There's a sense of layering and texture, like a delicate dance between control and spontaneity. The brushstrokes are visible, yet the overall effect is precise, and this tension shapes the feeling of the artwork. In the main bonnet image, see the way the lines trace the edge of the object? It’s not a perfect contour but a kind of soft, hesitant, searching line. I think of Agnes Martin’s work when I see this piece. They both share a certain softness. Ultimately this bonnet reminds us that art is a conversation, always evolving, and always open to new interpretations.