Folding Desk c. 1937

Curator: This delicate drawing, rendered in watercolor around 1937, is entitled "Folding Desk" by T.A. Holloway. Editor: It's rather captivating. The jewel-toned purple interior against the warmth of the wood grain is so unexpected, but inviting, like a secret space revealed. Curator: Precisely, and consider the materiality: watercolor and drawing, mediums typically associated with studies or personal expression, applied to an object suggestive of professional labor. Editor: The tight rendering really appeals; the meticulous details are highlighted by the soft light. It’s as if he wants us to admire the geometric forms of the object itself. It reminds me of a stage set. Curator: Perhaps this was made as part of a proposal or patent application; a way to visualise the functionality of the design for those involved in its creation and manufacture. Editor: I suppose you could say that. And even further that maybe this particular composition draws its symbolic meaning from the angle we’re seeing it from, we can't fully see inside. Maybe a commentary on how some parts of work remain obscured from our view, with us only being aware of the final product. Curator: That's interesting. Certainly the materials themselves, both wood and plush fabric, speaks to a changing aesthetic towards accessible luxury for the aspiring professional. It suggests shifting attitudes in labor and consumption between the wars. Editor: Absolutely, and while the piece speaks to industry, the work still draws us to think of the simple comfort that object might add to its user's life and I’m intrigued by its somewhat dream-like setting of it, set in white and alone. It lets us focus, without the busy of everyday, to ponder the artistry behind such a normal object. Curator: It is tempting to imbue everyday objects with a story that exceeds their own material reality. The tension between object and symbol fascinates. Editor: The very idea of elevating an object through thoughtful representation reveals so much.