Wallpaper c. 1937

John Garay created this wallpaper design, sometime between 1855 and 1995, with an original 20-inch repeat pattern. The monochromatic design is visually striking with its depiction of figures in what seems to be a theatrical or historical tableau. Garay, likely working within established conventions of wallpaper design, engages with themes of representation and power. The figures are arranged in a repeating pattern reminiscent of colonial-era scenes. This raises questions about whose stories are being told and how they are framed. Notice the architecture, which gives a stage-like setting to the characters. What narratives are embedded in this aesthetic? This wallpaper invites us to consider the historical and cultural contexts in which such designs were created and consumed. How might these images have shaped perceptions of identity, history, and social order? It asks us to reflect on the emotional and personal dimensions of the piece.