-Bar X Dude Ranch- still bank c. mid 20th century

Curator: So cheerful, isn't it? Like a child's dream of the Wild West come to life. Editor: Indeed. And this "Bar X Dude Ranch" still bank, dating from around the mid-20th century and crafted by the U.S. Metal Toy Mfg. Co., is more than just a pretty face. Assembled from metal and mixed media, this sculpture serves as a poignant reminder of cultural narratives. Curator: You mean the romanticized, often sanitized, image of the West that became popular, particularly during that period? This work perpetuates a certain type of mythmaking about masculinity, leisure, and labor in the American landscape, don’t you think? I see the inscription above the door -- BAR X DUDE RANCH – it presents an interesting gender dynamic too. Editor: Yes, the piece constructs a playful miniature with vivid colours to offer an opportunity to study its aesthetic. Its figuration brings us an appreciation for how depth is suggested via the application of simple printing, which invites viewers to appreciate the materiality and composition. Curator: The printing feels purposefully flat to me, playing into stereotypes about the American West through its emphasis on archetypal characters and scenarios, the horses tied at the rail outside the bar, the relaxed atmosphere. What were the social realities for Native American, Black, or Mexican cowboys during this time, in reality? These realities are completely erased here, contributing to the dominant power structures by reinforcing these false portrayals. Editor: That’s true, yet let’s not dismiss the craftsmanship. The overall architectural shape—the roof, the suggestion of a log cabin texture through patterned printing -- all combine to suggest depth with these playful forms. Its ability to transform ordinary metal into something so engaging is the crux. Curator: The piece reveals the values of the mid-20th century that favored this vision over one reflecting complex identities. In some ways, this very collectible still bank speaks to ongoing narratives that have defined American culture. Editor: Right. It encapsulates cultural fascination via simple, material terms that become richer when examined further, whether formally or conceptually. Curator: A tangible echo, I’d say, urging us to reflect on our roles in reproducing and reshaping these persistent images. Editor: Quite right. The enduring qualities are found within a playful surface using structural components to create and evoke something intriguing and visually alluring.