Bandbox (Wall Paper) c. 1939

Gilbert Sackerman made this wallpaper design, called Bandbox, using watercolor and graphite. Isn’t it interesting how he approaches mark-making? The floral centerpiece has looser brushstrokes, while the surrounding patterns are much tighter. There's something about the physical presence of the wallpaper's surface that gets me thinking about emotion and design. The paper isn't overwhelmed with texture, but the opaque watercolor gives substance to the forms. I'm drawn to how the eyelet floral basket contrasts against the ornate background. It's like a secret message embedded in the wallpaper. Sackerman’s contemporary was William Morris, whose work features very similar elements, though generally with more vivid colors. Ultimately, art is about seeing the world in different ways, finding new meanings in familiar forms.