Chair, Pine with Rush Seat c. 1939

This chair, made of pine with a rush seat, was created by Frank M. Keane. What grabs me is the carefulness, almost loving way, that Keane has made the image. The colour palette is narrow – earthy browns and tans – but within that, there’s a real attention to the textures of the wood and the woven seat. You can almost feel the smoothness of the wood in your hands. Look closely, and you’ll see this level of precision, especially in the details of the chair's structure. The way the light hits those rounded armrests, the shadow that defines the seat, it all points to a deep understanding of form. This isn't just a chair; it's a portrait of a chair, which reminds me a little of Charles Sheeler, with his precise rendering of industrial objects. Both artists share an interest in elevating everyday objects, finding beauty in their simplicity. Ultimately, Keane's chair is a reminder that art can be found in the most unassuming places and that the act of seeing is as important as what we see.