Belt c. 1936

Gladys Cook created this floral belt design with watercolour and graphite. I can just imagine the artist building up the layers of delicate colours and patterns. I wonder, what was Gladys thinking when she made it? Maybe dreaming of spring, or the soft touch of ribbon, or the sparkle of the buckle under sunlight? I love the small graphite sketch in the upper left corner – a glimpse into the design process. The overall impression is intricate, yet light, almost airy. You can see the delicate detail in the floral pattern of the ribbon, with its tiny pink and red roses, and its hints of turquoise foliage against the cream ground. It reminds me of the way Elisabeth Murray used to create surreal assemblages, creating new forms out of disparate elements. All artists participate in a larger conversation across time, inspiring each other. There are no fixed or definitive readings; instead, there is just an ongoing exchange of ideas and creative energy.