Chest 1935 - 1942

Rolland Livingstone created this image of a chest sometime in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. Livingstone lived in an era marked by significant shifts in artistic styles and social structures, moving away from traditional Victorian ideals. At first glance, this chest with its ornate carvings, evokes a sense of history, perhaps conjuring images of colonial households. Yet, Livingstone's artistic choices seem to challenge straightforward interpretations of domesticity and wealth. The chest, while functional, also operates as a site where identities and histories intersect. Its presence invites us to consider whose stories are embedded in these objects, and how these stories are retold through art. Livingstone invites us to reflect on the power of objects to bear witness to the complexities of cultural exchange, reminding us that even seemingly simple furniture can hold layers of meaning.