Bell 1935 - 1942

Editor: Here we have an anonymous watercolor and drawing from between 1935 and 1942 entitled “Bell.” I’m really struck by its almost solitary presence. It feels quite monumental, yet it's also very quiet and still. What are your initial thoughts when you look at this, in terms of its historical setting? Curator: My first thought is how such a simple subject can carry such symbolic weight. During that period, the bell often signaled a call to action or announced important social events, certainly it played a part during wartimes to gather people. Editor: Interesting. It gives a solemn tone, then. Curator: Exactly. Think about its function within different social contexts. Was it summoning workers, or announcing times for prayer? Bells create structure but simultaneously are associated with communities coming together. Who controlled the ringing of the bell? Whose voice was amplified by its sound? The sketch-like quality feels less monumental, as you noted, and instead signals the absence of activity - the work questions whether the bell is functional or will continue to gather communities. Does the artist agree with the community bell? What are your thoughts? Editor: I hadn't considered the social power a bell could hold. The muted colors and unfinished sketch almost seem like a deliberate act of subversion. The artist isn't celebrating its power, but perhaps questioning it or mourning a time when its significance felt more clear? Curator: Precisely! This quiet representation provokes questions about power, community, and the artist’s potential commentary on their shifting roles during this period. A useful thought: considering how artwork interacts and changes existing ideologies through its visuals will certainly add more historical context to the work.