Pair of Carved Wooden Arms c. 1937

John Davis made this pair of carved wooden arms, and what strikes me is the immediacy of the artist's hand. You can almost see him working and reworking the medium. I find myself drawn to the texture of the wood, the way it's been shaped and molded to create these flowing forms. Davis’s use of shadow is incredible. It's not just about depicting reality; it's about creating a sense of depth and mystery. Look at the way the light catches on the ridges of the drapery, how it defines the musculature of the arms. This attention to detail really brings the sculptures to life. It reminds me a bit of some folk art I've seen, where the artist's personal vision trumps any sense of academic correctness. The ongoing conversation across time is what makes art so enriching. It's a space of infinite possibilities, where ambiguity and interpretation reign supreme.