Horse and Man Woodcarving 1939

Editor: This intriguing wood carving, “Horse and Man Woodcarving,” created by Marie Lutrell in 1939, really makes me think about labor. The detailed figures emerging from the wood… what can you tell me about the materiality and the time period in which this work was made? Curator: Well, first, note the deliberate marks of the carving itself; this isn’t meant to hide its production. This piece, dating from 1939, places it in the late Depression era, when the materials used and the means of production became highly significant. Consider the choice of wood: What did that signify during a period of economic hardship? Was it readily available, or a symbol of enduring strength in a difficult time? Editor: That's a great point. I hadn't considered the economic context influencing the very choice of medium. So, the type of wood itself could be a key element? Curator: Exactly! Think about how wood, as a raw material, connects directly to labor. Was it locally sourced, implying a community connection? Who might have had access to such materials? And the skill involved in carving - was this a tradition passed down? Or an individual’s endeavor? Those hands tell their own stories, don't they? Editor: It makes you wonder about the relationship between folk art, craft, and "high art" at that time too. Almost blurring the lines between function and aesthetics. Curator: Precisely. Is Luttrell elevating the everyday by turning wood into a narrative, a history, rather than a utilitarian object? And how does the act of carving, the repetitive motion, the physical engagement, speak to the experience of the working class at this time? Editor: I'm definitely looking at it in a completely different light now. It's more than just a sculpture of a horse and man; it's a statement about labor and resources. Thank you. Curator: And that's the beauty of engaging with the material realities. It brings us closer to understanding both the art and the world in which it was created.