Rosewood Chair c. 1936

Here we see Rex F. Bush's "Rosewood Chair," a watercolor and graphite rendering that captures the ornate detail of a chair, focusing on its form rather than its function. The chair, centered against a stark background, emphasizes a play between line and volume. The sinuous lines of the rosewood frame contrast sharply with the plush, textured upholstery in cool teal, creating a visual dialogue between the solid and the yielding. Bush meticulously articulates the chair's structure, almost as a study in Baroque design principles, where ornamentation and curvature reign. This drawing operates within a semiotic framework, where the chair signifies more than just a piece of furniture; it embodies status, luxury, and a particular historical aesthetic. Yet, by isolating the chair and presenting it in this medium, Bush abstracts it, inviting us to consider its essence beyond its utilitarian purpose. The chair becomes a signifier of an era and a commentary on the art of representation itself. It is not just a chair, but an idea of a chair, mediated through the artist's hand and our perception.