Dress 1935 - 1942

Editor: This is Julie Brush's "Dress," created sometime between 1935 and 1942. It's a drawing, and the details are remarkable; it almost looks like a fashion plate. What catches your eye when you look at it? Curator: What strikes me is the intricate, repetitive pattern work. Consider the social context; these drawings were produced during the Depression era, a period marked by significant economic hardship and shifts in textile production. It’s interesting to think about what the materials represent and the social meaning clothes and drawings of clothes would hold. How might the artist be exploring the ideas of value and utility, by choosing to render clothing in drawing form, instead of working directly with fabric? Editor: That's a really interesting perspective, I hadn't thought about the economic context so much. So you’re suggesting this isn't just about documenting fashion, but maybe commenting on it? Curator: Exactly. Notice the emphasis on surface and the detailed rendering of texture in the drawing medium. It draws attention to the labor involved in both the original garment's production and the artist's act of recreating it through drawing. This resonates with a materialist approach by examining not just what's depicted, but the 'how' and 'why' of its creation and reception within a specific historical moment. This makes me wonder what you make of the relationship between fine art and craft here? Editor: Well, seeing it this way makes me rethink the value we place on "high" art versus something functional like clothing design. The drawing elevates the design and highlights the skill involved. I guess I had always separated the artistic intention behind paintings from the commercial intention behind clothing. Curator: Precisely! We’re examining those boundaries. What have you learned about value and status through art, and from this image in particular? Editor: That art doesn't have to be just about "high" art. The process of creation and the social context are incredibly important and can redefine how we value materials and the art itself. Curator: Indeed, that makes one reflect on how much one has truly gained!