Missal Holder c. 1939

Gordena Jackson created this watercolor and graphite Missal Holder, and what strikes me is the beautiful, almost naive color palette. The juxtaposition of pale pinks and golds really opens up a space of imagination around the artwork. Looking at the surface, the paint is thin and transparent, allowing the graphite lines to peek through, giving the whole image a slightly unfinished quality. You can almost feel Jackson working, thinking through the design. Take a look at the way the gold leaf unfurls from the shelf of the frame; the gesture is so delicate, so intentional, it’s as if she’s breathing life into the object. Jackson's approach reminds me a bit of Florine Stettheimer's set designs, where the ordinary is transformed into something fantastical. Ultimately, art is an ongoing conversation, and Jackson's Missal Holder is a reminder that sometimes the simplest forms can hold the deepest meanings.