The Means Test 2 1934

Curator: This ink drawing, "The Means Test 2," is by the Scottish artist James Boswell. It’s held here at the Tate. Editor: It's stark. Desolate. The slanting lines create such a sense of unease; it feels like the room itself is collapsing inward. Curator: Boswell was deeply affected by the social realities of his time. The title refers to the government policy during the Great Depression, where financial assistance was contingent on a rigorous assessment of one's resources. Editor: And the trombone? The overturned chair? These details speak volumes about the man's identity stripped bare by circumstance, his very means of expression rendered useless. Curator: Absolutely. Boswell uses this image to critique the dehumanizing effects of the Means Test. He highlights the immense psychological toll it took on individuals and communities. Editor: It serves as a potent reminder of art's capacity to confront uncomfortable truths, prompting us to examine the power structures that shape individual lives. Curator: Indeed, and to reflect on the social responsibilities we have to one another.