Desk c. 1941

Curator: This work, simply titled "Desk", was conceived circa 1941 by Joseph Cannella, rendered in pencil and watercolor. The use of mixed media provides a remarkable sense of depth and materiality. Editor: It's quite imposing, isn't it? A very straightforward presentation. The wood grain is really emphasized. It almost feels like it’s staring back at you. Curator: Precisely. Note how Cannella uses watercolor to accentuate the wood's natural patterns, creating a sort of optical play across the facade of the desk. It’s almost as though the desk is asserting its presence, becoming a silent yet potent symbol within the room. This effect may have been politically charged; in times of national crises, the sense of control through ownership was especially significant for many Americans. Editor: Absolutely, the cultural and economic uncertainty of that era. So the material and texture becomes a signifier, not just a decorative choice? Curator: Indubitably! Each line, each stroke meticulously laid, imbues this furniture piece with more than just utility. The grain becomes its identity. Think also how mass-produced furniture promised affordable luxury but, for many, still remained out of reach. Crafting such a rendering underscores the inherent value placed on ownership and stability, offering both a symbol of success and aspiration. Editor: You can almost smell the polish and the feeling of home it would evoke. This era also placed huge value on ‘interiority’, both physical and mental. Furniture became so important to personal and political expression. Curator: Exactly! By rendering the furniture in detail, Cannella invites the viewer to participate in constructing an ideal. What at first glance seems like a simple piece of furniture in watercolor quickly evolves into a vessel carrying broader social implications, the sense of stability so desired during a very turbulent time. Editor: Fascinating to see how deeply the formal can intersect with the historical narrative, offering very different kinds of value and ways of relating to art. Curator: A true testament to the enduring power of visual art to both reflect and shape the narratives around us.