Bulto - Santa Rita c. 1938

Editor: This is Majel G. Claflin's "Bulto - Santa Rita" from around 1938. It's a watercolor and drawing piece that looks like a portrait of folk art. The figure is very solemn, and the skull in its hands adds an air of contemplation. How do you interpret this work within its cultural context? Curator: This work draws me in because of how it encapsulates a dialogue between tradition, faith, and the often-stark realities of life and death, themes deeply ingrained in certain folk art traditions, particularly within the American Southwest. Santa Rita herself represents facing adversity with grace. Given the historical period, what might a work like this be saying about identity and resilience in the face of economic and social hardship? Editor: That's interesting. It makes me think about how folk art often functions as a means of cultural preservation, a way to hold onto identity during times of change. The skull suddenly seems less about morbidity and more about acknowledging the past. Curator: Exactly! And consider how gender might intersect here. How does the artist, Majel Claflin, a woman, portray Santa Rita, another woman? Does this add another layer to the representation of strength and spiritual conviction? Editor: It does seem like a quiet assertion of female power and piety within a specific cultural framework. I hadn't considered the artist's own identity in relation to the subject. Curator: Seeing it through an intersectional lens helps us unpack the multiple layers of meaning embedded within this seemingly simple portrait. It’s not just a depiction, but a statement about cultural survival and identity. Editor: This has totally changed how I see the piece. It’s so much richer than I initially thought. Curator: Precisely! Art invites us to continuously re-evaluate and learn from history, sparking important conversations.