Sewing Chair 1939

Curator: This is "Sewing Chair," a pencil drawing by Dorothy Johnson, created in 1939. It's such a delicate rendering. Editor: Yes, my first impression is that it’s a quiet and understated piece. A little lonely almost? There's a sense of emptiness. Curator: I find it interesting how Johnson elevates an everyday object, transforming this simple chair into something worthy of artistic contemplation. In a way, it democratizes art. Editor: Absolutely, this kind of artwork really chimes with social realism of the period, documenting ordinary lives and the objects that populate them. I mean, this is not a grand portrait of a leader, but the honest representation of a tool used in countless households. Curator: The starkness of the composition enhances this feeling too. There's such minimal shading, and it emphasizes the stark utility of the object. It feels so vulnerable, so plain in a world that so prizes spectacle. Editor: Definitely vulnerable! And looking at the weave of the seat, you imagine the hands that used it, perhaps mending clothes through wartime rationing, that is if you read the date, 1939! It embodies the values of self-sufficiency, resilience, of a time when resources were precious. I find that incredibly poignant. Curator: It almost invites a sense of intimacy, don't you think? As though Johnson has welcomed us into a private space to witness a quiet moment. Maybe even sit and gather ourselves. Editor: I think that's right! There's a certain domestic narrative in the humble object and it asks questions about gendered labor. And, more generally, about how we commemorate the everyday struggles and acts of care that often go unrecognised in history. Curator: Well, Dorothy Johnson certainly encouraged me to see beauty in simplicity today. I may seek out a sewing chair of my own, or perhaps dust off the sewing machine! Editor: For me it’s a brilliant reminder that profound meaning can be found in the objects around us, and that there are myriad, powerful narratives embedded in their very existence.