Butter Molder 1935 - 1942

Editor: So, this is "Butter Molder" painted by Della Button between 1935 and 1942, using watercolor and drawing techniques. I'm immediately struck by its quiet domesticity, this humble, handmade object elevated to the subject of art. How do you interpret this work, placing it within a larger historical context? Curator: It's interesting you say that, the choice of subject is, perhaps, loaded. This work appears to be created during the Great Depression. Do you think representing a common, everyday object—like a butter molder, crucial for sustenance and perhaps even income at the time—speaks to broader issues of labor, gendered domestic roles, and class? Editor: Absolutely. The Depression had a huge impact on people's lives and how they perceived value. The fact that this molder is rendered so carefully suggests an appreciation, maybe even a reverence, for these essential tasks and tools, pushing back against industrialisation, even subtly? Curator: I think you're right to consider the role of industrialization. Button's choice to depict a hand-carved, likely wooden object pulls it out of the gears of mass production. This speaks, for me, to a potential subtle activism--perhaps championing handcrafted objects associated with the home, the labour of women, and simpler, more sustainable ways of life. Consider the broader movement toward valuing 'authentic' folk art around this period and think of intersectional viewpoints. Where does this image fall into that narrative? Editor: That’s a fascinating perspective. I hadn’t considered it as an act of resistance, albeit subtle. More than just illustrating an object, Button is validating an entire lifestyle. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: My pleasure. Looking closely at everyday objects allows us to unpack deeply embedded cultural values, shedding light on untold histories and contributions.