Hanging Wall Shelf c. 1937

Editor: So this drawing, "Hanging Wall Shelf" by Majel G. Claflin, made around 1937, seems to combine watercolor and charcoal on paper. The symmetry is really striking; it gives me a folk-art vibe. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The symmetry immediately brings to mind the Tree of Life motif, doesn't it? But it's reinterpreted through this delightful, almost naive folk style. Look at the stylized birds; they remind me of peace and harmony. The heart shape formed between them further reinforces those positive emotional ties. How do you see that triangle functioning in that same symbolic field? Editor: The triangle on top feels a bit out of place maybe? It feels very intentional though, given everything else is very curvy. It might even point to spiritual notions of family as well? Curator: Interesting, an allusion to the Holy Family perhaps. Its placement suggests it's anchoring all of the design; like a capstone it completes this microcosm. It evokes both protection and elevation. Given its date, I wonder if this design references simpler, rural values, acting as a comforting symbol during more turbulent times? Editor: That’s fascinating. It’s interesting to think about how something that seems simple can carry all those layers of meaning. Curator: Exactly! Objects often carry complex social histories that give new readings, with older meanings coexisting and informing them over time. What begins as pure design often accretes new symbolism over time and lived experience. It's this cultural memory that imbues this image with a richness beyond its humble function. Editor: Thanks, I hadn't considered it that way. Now I feel I understand folk art just a bit better.