Combination Saw/Knife 1938

This is George Roehl's "Combination Saw/Knife," a watercolor that offers a stark, direct view of a commonplace object. The composition emphasizes the tool's horizontal form, set against a neutral backdrop. Note how the blade's rusty texture contrasts with the smoother, polished wood of the handle, creating a visual tension. Roehl's focus on the tool's materiality invites us to consider the broader context of labor and production. The saw/knife becomes a signifier, not just of its utilitarian function, but also of the historical and social conditions in which such tools were used. This simple form destabilizes fixed meanings, inviting re-evaluation. The artist challenges our perception by isolating this tool, inviting us to consider the underlying structures of value and utility within our culture. Roehl prompts us to consider how everyday objects like this embody our relationship with the world.