Cast Iron Fence c. 1936

This drawing of a cast iron fence was made by Al Curry, we don’t know when, using pen and ink on paper. Just look at all the twirling lines! I can almost feel Curry’s hand moving across the page, carefully defining each curl and flourish. It makes me wonder what he was thinking about as he drew each tiny detail, repeating the patterns over and over again. Was it a labor of love, or a commission? Was it just a job? What kind of mood was he in that day? It reminds me of the drawings of Joseph Yoakum. This drawing has a really interesting texture, even though it’s just lines on paper. And Curry's decision to show both a close-up and a wider view gives you a real feel for the space. It all makes me think about how we build up our own personal boundaries, both physical and emotional. Maybe Curry was thinking about that too.