-Cat- still bank c. 20th century

This cat still bank, whose origins are with the Grapette Products Co., is made of clear glass. It’s got a metal lid with a coin slot. And, I mean, who doesn’t love a cat, right? The thing about glass is it’s all about light. Here, the texture isn’t painted, but molded, meaning the whole process is about creating these subtle shifts in form and depth. It makes you think about what’s there, but even more, what isn’t. Look at the fur around the cat’s neck. These tiny ridges create all these shimmering shadows. The artist doesn’t need to do much, as glass does the heavy lifting in a way. It reminds me of the work of Vija Celmins. The way she uses graphite to create these intense, reflective surfaces, only here, we’re dealing with pure transparency. There’s an ongoing conversation, a push and pull, between making and seeing. It's an invitation to let your imagination run wild.