Toleware Tray c. 1941

This unfinished toleware tray was made by Alice Cosgrove, who lived a long life, between 1855 and 1995. It’s a peek into her process, a view of the artist's hand at work. Looking at it, the contrast between the detailed, vividly colored section and the sketched-out remainder really grabs you. The finished part has these beautiful, ornate details – leaves, grapes, and flowers, all packed together, really decorative. The dark background makes the colors pop, creating a luscious, almost edible quality. Then your eye travels over to the other side, where the design is just lightly sketched. It's like seeing the ghost of the tray, the potential it holds. The way Cosgrove uses color reminds me of someone like Hilma af Klint, that same interest in pattern, decoration and design. What’s so cool is how it invites us to complete the picture ourselves. It reminds us that art is never really finished, and there’s always room for another layer of meaning.