Ox Cart Chair c. 1939

Wilbur Rice made this, looks like in watercolour, of what he calls an Ox Cart Chair. I wonder, did he construct the object itself, before painting it? It feels so close, like a maker's tribute to the thingness of it. The warm palette of browns and creams gives it a kind of homely, rustic feel, but there’s something so clean and precise about the lines, it doesn't feel folksy. Each element, from the woven seat to the smooth wooden frame, is rendered with care, but it’s not overworked. You sense Rice letting the materials speak for themselves. The texture is subtle but present, with the woven seat offering a gentle contrast to the smoother frame. It’s like he’s saying, "Here’s something simple, but beautiful, made with care." And in that simplicity, there's a quiet dignity, a celebration of the everyday.