Into the Public Domain: A Journey Through Art History
The Watering Can (Emblems: The Garden) by Roger de La Fresnaye is a visually unique depiction of various objects arranged in a stylized, almost geometric composition. The artist uses elements of Cubism to simplify forms into clean shapes and structured planes, giving everyday items like the watering can a modern, abstract quality. Muted colors and balanced lines create a calm, orderly feeling, reflecting both harmony and control within the scene. At the same time, the painted objects suggest symbolic meaning, hinting at growth and cultivation beyond their literal function. Overall, the work blends realism with abstraction to present an imaginative interpretation of ordinary garden tools.
Features
As Davidson College continues to reckon publicly with its historical ties to enslavement and racial exploitation, few people have been as closely involved in shaping that work as Lia Newman.
On a quiet stretch of green just off Main Street, where town and campus meet, two monumental hands rise from the earth – open, cupped, and facing one another. They do not grasp or point. Instead, they hold space.
Recently on view at the Van Every/Smith Galleries at Davidson College, Hank Willis Thomas’ We The People was a visually arresting exhibition that paired formal rigor with conceptual urgency
At a recent book signing and conversation, celebrated visual artist Harmonia Rosales shared the deeply personal journey behind her new work – a project that bridges painting and literature to reimagine African cosmology within the Western canon.
Words of Wisdom
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
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