Waistcoat Pattern c. 1936

Editor: So, this is "Waistcoat Pattern," a drawing on paper from around 1936. Looking at it, it's intriguing how something so utilitarian – a sewing pattern – is presented as a work of art. What do you see in this piece, particularly regarding its commentary on labor and gender? Curator: This piece operates on several levels. Firstly, the very act of elevating a traditionally "feminine" craft like sewing to the level of art challenges the established hierarchy. We need to consider how labor, often gendered, is valued, or, more accurately, devalued in society. In what ways does the diagrammatic nature of the pattern relate to larger forms of documentation? Editor: That makes sense. The instructions being so visible is also interesting to consider. The handwritten instructions add a personal touch, right? Almost a story there. Curator: Absolutely. It humanizes the process, highlighting the individual labour involved in creation. Sewing, like many domestic tasks, has been historically invisibilized, confined to the private sphere. It underscores how skills passed down through generations of women were essential for economic survival and personal expression. Does the piece celebrate the ingenuity and resilience of women within those confines, in your opinion? Editor: Definitely. It is as if something quotidian, craft making, gets an aesthetic and cultural acknowledgement through being placed in the realm of visual art. I hadn’t thought about it that way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Recognizing the cultural narratives embedded within such overlooked artifacts broadens our understanding of art history.