Saw c. 1941

Frank Budash created this work entitled 'Saw' with watercolour. The composition presents a stark contrast between the smooth, curving wooden frame and the jagged, toothed metal blade. The warmth of the wood invites a tactile response, while the blade suggests a sense of danger. The artist, rather than focusing on the saw’s function, directs our attention to its form. The piece invites a semiotic reading, where the saw’s components act as signs. The arc of the wood signifies the natural world, contrasting sharply with the blade's cultural sign of human intervention. The balance between these elements, between the natural and the constructed, evokes philosophical inquiry. The detailed rendering of the material qualities encourages us to consider the saw beyond its utility. The artist prompts us to reflect on the tool's place within a broader cultural and philosophical dialogue. The artwork underscores that even the most mundane objects are rich sites of cultural and intellectual meaning.