Mortar and Pestle c. 1936

Ludmilla Calderon made this drawing of a mortar and pestle, but we don’t know when. It's an odd composition, isn't it? The way the objects just float on the page. I love how Calderon uses colored pencil to render the wood grain. Look closely; you can almost feel the texture. It makes me think about process, about the time and care involved in making things by hand. There's a tenderness here, in the way the artist has chosen to depict these everyday objects. The crack running down the side of the mortar feels especially significant. It’s a reminder that nothing lasts forever, that even the sturdiest things are subject to wear and tear. It reminds me of Agnes Martin’s subtle, imperfect grids, in the way that both artists embrace vulnerability and imperfection. Ultimately, this is a drawing that invites us to slow down, to look closely, and to appreciate the beauty in the ordinary.