Flat Iron Stand c. 1938

Editor: This watercolor drawing titled "Flat Iron Stand" was created around 1938 by Leslie Macklem. It seems to perfectly capture the beauty and craftsmanship found in everyday objects, and it gives this homely object an ethereal quality. What jumps out at you when you look at this piece? Curator: The charm, undoubtedly. It’s got this, almost nostalgic appeal, hasn't it? It transforms a very ordinary household object, the flat iron stand, into something rather extraordinary, imbued with its own spirit. I can almost hear the hiss of the iron, see the steam rising, sense the comforting warmth of the kitchen where something is always simmering. What about the technique? How do you read the way it's painted? Editor: The medium itself, the delicate watercolor, seems to elevate its simple, somewhat rustic form. There is this intricate detail, especially in the cutouts on the stand. It also speaks to a specific era, and its place within it. I almost wonder, why draw this? Why immortalize the everyday? Curator: Precisely. I imagine Macklem saw in this stand not just utility, but a legacy of domesticity. The floral cutouts are so meticulously rendered, each tiny shadow precisely placed, it makes me wonder if Macklem was trying to say that beauty truly exists even in the mundane. Does that resonate with you? Editor: It does, in a very accessible way. It suggests a slower pace of life, a time when handmade objects held significant value, a sentimental reflection on home. The artist isn’t shying away from the simplicity; they are embracing it. It’s lovely to consider this humble item with new eyes and imagine that nostalgic time! Curator: Absolutely! It is like discovering beauty in the overlooked!