Kids' Audio Guide: Ure Smith’s Flat

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Ure Smith’s Flat

A painting depicting one side of a tidy room, with an open window, cushions on a bed, knick-knacks on a bookshelf.

Ure Smith’s Flat, 1939 by Norman Carter

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ARIELLE_190923.mp3

Transcript

In 1939 when this painting was painted, life seemed hard. The Great Depression was here and that meant no phones like we have today, no cheap clothes like we have today and no multiculturalism. The Great Depression was the time between WWI and WWII. Life was completely different to how it is nowadays.

I think the artist tried to create a place that seemed different to the outside world and create a place to come home to that was homely and comfortable. The artist didn’t use a wide range of colours to create the painting, mostly reds, brown, gold and beige. It makes it more sustainable but not elaborate.

Even though he didn’t put every single detail into the books and the view it still looks very intricate. Even though it looks happy inside the house I know that it was different outside the house. If I could step into the painting, I would try to help the poor people in the village below because life was difficult, and many children couldn’t afford a lot of things including a house, clothes, shoes, toys, food and schooling.

Knowing that climate change is a big thing now, if I could go back in time, I would try to spread the word about how we really need to help the environment and get people in the 1930s to start helping.

If I could add something to the painting, I would add a fireplace and a few comfy chairs. I would also grab a book and a cup of milo and lie on the bed.

Curators/Speakers

Arielle