Tumbler 1935 - 1942

Editor: Here we have Frank Budash’s "Tumbler," a drawing created sometime between 1935 and 1942. There's a stillness to it, a quiet observation. What aspects of this seemingly simple drawing grab your attention? Curator: It's tempting to view this simply as a still life, but let’s think about context. Budash was working during a time of immense social upheaval, shaped by both the Depression and the rise of totalitarian regimes. What might it mean to focus on something so commonplace, so easily overlooked, as a simple drinking glass? Editor: Are you suggesting that it's a commentary on that upheaval, or perhaps an escape from it? Curator: Perhaps both. Everyday objects acquire significance, right? A focus on domesticity and the mundane could represent a longing for stability. What are the politics of everyday life? Who had access to something as simple as a clean glass of water during that time? Consider who is *not* represented in this work. Does the quiet, isolated glass stand in stark contrast to the boisterous taverns, soup kitchens and crowded demonstrations? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It makes me wonder about the intentionality behind the rendering too - those subtle imperfections, the slight distortions of the glass... Curator: Exactly. Notice also the light. Is it celebratory or isolating? What narratives are invited? How does the framing contribute to its reception? Does the intimacy of the watercolor demand reflection? Editor: It's funny, I initially saw it as just a nice drawing, but I now understand how it functions as a historical and social marker. Curator: Precisely. These simple observations are actually social critiques. It makes the everyday profound. Editor: I’ll never look at a glass of water the same way again! Curator: Hopefully that can inspire similar introspection towards overlooked and marginalized histories that shape how we see today.