Chair 1935 - 1942

Curator: Here we have a piece simply entitled "Chair," dating from 1935 to 1942, a watercolor drawing by Genevieve Sherlock. Editor: My immediate impression is that it feels deliberately plain, almost diagrammatic, with a quaint, old-fashioned aura about it. Curator: It’s fascinating how a utilitarian object becomes the subject. Sherlock's rendering prompts us to consider the very labor of rendering something functional, almost elevating craft itself. Editor: Exactly, and considering the date, this chair reminds me of the shifting social and political landscape of the time. Perhaps it’s meant to subtly question class and access; who gets to sit comfortably, and how does design reflect those power dynamics? Curator: Good point. This rendering with watercolors also prompts questions. Was the ready availability of watercolor a democratic tool for artists at this time? Were its portability and affordability relevant? What impact did the Great Depression have on the work? Editor: It would be intriguing to see how the choice of watercolor influenced reception. It is a much less pretentious and monumental medium, thus more apt for social critique. Do other works show the prevalence of more 'humble' media and a move away from 'grand art'? Curator: Furthermore, look closely at the woven seat – it almost seems like she’s emphasizing a handcraft skill within an industrially influenced period, elevating it to art, making it significant. Editor: That woven detail also grounds the chair—its very presence communicates an unpretentious attitude. Is there information about where Sherlock displayed it? It would be good to place this chair within the exhibitions of its time to find how viewers engaged with everyday items given artistic status. Curator: Overall, Sherlock’s chair offers an entry point into analyzing class and industrial transitions. A deceptively simple chair opens avenues into socioeconomic histories. Editor: I agree. It proves how art forces reflection. It encourages questioning of objects easily passed over or easily sat upon. It’s so refreshing!