Schooner under the Moon c. 1935 - 1936

Curator: Alfred Wallis, born in 1855, spent much of his life at sea. This painting, "Schooner under the Moon," embodies his deep connection to maritime life, depicting a schooner rendered in his characteristic naive style. Editor: It feels like a memory half-forgotten, doesn’t it? Like a dream of the sea. The muted tones and that rough texture—it’s almost melancholic. Curator: Wallis's work is significant for its use of unconventional materials like cardboard and found objects. His art speaks to the experience of the working class, the aging process, and the raw elements of coastal existence. The painting's simplicity is deceptive. Editor: It really is. At first glance, I see a charming little sailboat, but then, the moon, the rough sea—there's a lonely vastness in there. It's quite moving. Curator: Absolutely. And considering Wallis started painting later in life, it's a testament to how art can emerge from lived experience and act as a powerful form of expression. Editor: Makes you wonder about his stories, doesn't it? What he witnessed under those very moons. It's more than a painting; it’s a tiny, captured moment of a life at sea.