Armchair 1901 - 1904

This armchair was made by J. S. Ford, Johnson and Company, sometime between 1867 and 1902. Look at the way the wood grain itself becomes a kind of abstract expression. Think of the artist feeling the wood, seeing the patterns, and making the most of them. It's not just a chair, it's a collaboration with nature! The dark wood has a tactile, almost velvety feel. It makes you want to run your hand over its smooth surface. Notice the small wheels at the bottom of each leg. They give it a sense of motion, as if it could glide across the room at any moment. Look at the way the arms curve around, embracing the sitter. They almost look like parentheses, enclosing you in a world of comfort and contemplation. This piece reminds me a bit of the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Both artists had a knack for blending simplicity with subtle ornamentation. It’s this kind of playful tension that makes art so endlessly fascinating to me. It’s not about having all the answers but about embracing the questions.