Clock - Lyre Type c. 1937

Editor: Here we have Rex F. Bush's "Clock - Lyre Type," a drawing from around 1937 combining pencil and watercolor. It’s quite striking. I’m immediately drawn to its symmetry and decorative feel – a fascinating mix. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The immediate impact is its reliance on readily recognizable symbols. The lyre, front and center, speaks volumes. Its classical associations place it in dialogue with history, music, and high culture. Consider how this contrasts with the practical function of the clock, an object governing daily life and commerce. Bush invites us to consider the emotional weight we give to these images and forms, pulling from a well of cultural memory. Editor: So, the lyre represents something beyond just being a decorative element? Curator: Precisely. The lyre resonates with themes of harmony and order and may perhaps symbolize the ambition for a regulated and cultured home. In what context was the artist working? Was there something particularly evocative about musical or domestic harmony at that time? Editor: The artwork is associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement. Curator: Yes, which favored handcrafted, decorative designs during an increasingly industrial age. So, how are these symbols a manifestation of a desire to preserve certain values and push back against changing conditions? Editor: So, the choice of the lyre wasn't arbitrary. The object becomes like a statement about cultural ideals. Curator: Exactly. Bush chose and arranged recognizable symbols with purpose. Understanding that intent unlocks further understanding. What do you make of the other stylized elements? Editor: It brings another perspective, highlighting how the object and image speak a certain visual language across time. I had originally focused on aesthetics, but I can also think about a symbolic message. Curator: Indeed. Thinking about how an artist consciously employs symbolic visual language to shape how others might perceive their cultural identity is really useful.