Latch c. 1937

Curator: Let's discuss "Latch," a pencil drawing on paper created around 1937 by Mildred Ford. What are your initial thoughts when you observe this piece? Editor: Immediately, I sense a quiet elegance in the drawing's composition. But it makes me wonder—latches secure spaces, but who were these spaces for and who was being kept out during this time? I wonder if this latch also reflects social structures and control? Curator: An interesting interpretation. I find it fascinating how Ford has captured the essence of form and function through geometric accuracy. The lines are clean and deliberate, and observe how the gradations in shading bring out the texture of what would be forged metal. The way it guides our eyes across the page, dwelling on each meticulously rendered detail is commendable. Editor: It’s undoubtedly beautiful, and her command of perspective is interesting when thinking about who the craftspeople of the Arts and Crafts movement were: highly trained, often working class individuals whose craftsmanship was often erased from the legacies of designers, architects, and their clients. Curator: Indeed. The Arts and Crafts movement championed handcrafted items as a revolt against mass production. Each carefully rendered detail speaks volumes about the value placed on skill and tradition, on form *and* function. Editor: It’s a reminder that seemingly simple designs hold within them stories of labour, craft, and often unspoken power dynamics in relation to race and gender within creative communities. After all, design serves very particular communities and it excludes many, as well. Curator: Absolutely. Ford's precise renderings speak to a commitment to the intrinsic aesthetic value found within utility. Her keen focus is remarkable. Editor: Ultimately, Ford's "Latch" connects to something much bigger, asking us to look critically at craft traditions, at labour, at who has access and agency. Thank you for this view, it offers some critical nuances to explore through this deceptively simple image. Curator: Yes, exactly! "Latch" is a fascinating synthesis of both form and its place within history, if we simply give it our focus. Thank you.