Stockade Near Shore n.d.

John Varley made this drawing, Stockade Near Shore, using graphite and gray wash on blue paper. The drawing's material qualities directly influence its appearance, with graphite lines creating textures and a sense of depth. The gray wash adds subtle tonal variations, enhancing the overall mood, with a bleakness that evokes a sense of isolation, and perhaps even the human cost of industry. Varley was trained in the picturesque tradition, which valorized direct observation. Here, he seems to have quickly captured the scene, perhaps with the immediacy of a photograph. The stockade, likely constructed by laborers, speaks to the era's reliance on manual work and the commodification of natural resources. By focusing on materials and their inherent qualities, we can appreciate how Varley's work transcends the boundaries between fine art and craft, prompting us to consider the social and economic forces shaping artistic expression.