Candlestick c. 1936

Curator: This watercolor painting titled "Candlestick" was completed around 1936 by Cecily Edwards. The piece offers a stark yet somewhat delicate rendering of its subject. My first thought is of ritual and quiet contemplation. Editor: I find the red wax, especially dripping so dramatically, oddly compelling. The juxtaposition with the somber tones elsewhere creates a tension, perhaps reflecting the unease of the times. It almost feels theatrical, in a strange, domestic way. Curator: Indeed, the red draws the eye immediately. Consider candles throughout history – often signaling not just light but memory, ceremony, even mourning. The melting wax isn't just a physical element, it's a visual symbol of time's passage and perhaps even life's fragility. Editor: And yet, the geometric precision of the candlestick base, that rather industrial feeling element... It fights against the emotionality of the wax, doesn't it? Perhaps reflecting a struggle between tradition and modernity in 1930s Britain? It speaks to me about societal shifts—the solid base versus the fleeting flame. Curator: An astute observation. Edwards might be commenting on the solidity of traditional structures versus the ephemeral nature of experience, especially relevant in an era marked by upheaval and change. And there is something undeniably geometric here. Perhaps suggesting some kind of attempt to control the situation... Or, is this some element that will survive after all other cultural symbols have faded from popular interest? Editor: It definitely makes you ponder about cultural shifts. Is she hinting at some fundamental societal unease in the face of rapid modernity? Or some need to ground one's sense of purpose through tradition or ritual? Curator: Perhaps it's the tension between those very forces. As our culture changes around us at what now feels like the speed of light, a grounding element such as a traditional symbol like the candlestick offers a respite for our shared psyches. Editor: Absolutely. This seemingly simple watercolour is quite layered, revealing a visual complexity. A beautiful example of how everyday objects, depicted thoughtfully, can act as potent cultural reflections.