Block from Bedspread c. 1937

Editor: Here we have Ruth Barnes’ "Block from Bedspread," made around 1937 using mixed media on paper. The bright colours against the stark geometric star pattern really make it pop. What's your take on this? Curator: Well, I see more than just a "pop" of colour. I see a potential statement about the commodification of domestic life during the Depression era. Notice the traditional craft, bedspread making, rendered as a disembodied "block." How might we read this in relation to the rising tide of consumer culture and the changing role of women in the household? Editor: That's an interesting point! It's easy to see it as just a pretty pattern, but thinking about the context…it shifts the whole perspective. But what about the star shape? Is that significant? Curator: Absolutely. Stars, particularly six-pointed ones, often carry cultural and religious significance. In this context, considering the time and potential influences on Barnes, what social commentaries could she be making by reclaiming and re-contextualizing it within domestic artwork? How might its presence challenge or subvert established power structures or artistic hierarchies? Editor: So, it's not just about the colours and shapes but what they represent within society at that time? Curator: Exactly. It's about how Barnes uses the visual language of craft and geometric abstraction to speak to broader issues of gender, class, and the changing American landscape. And perhaps even hinting to themes of religious freedom in the face of growing international persecution. Editor: I’m starting to see how deeply connected art can be to the world around it. Thanks for helping me understand that! Curator: My pleasure! It's this connection that makes art such a powerful mirror reflecting our shared history and lived experiences.