Shaker Child's Rocker c. 1936

Ray Holden made this small rendering of a Shaker Child’s Rocker sometime in the 20th century, using what looks like watercolor or gouache on paper. The limited palette of browns and greys, combined with his delicate handling of the paint, lends it a kind of quiet simplicity. Holden’s image shows us a single object, carefully placed in the center of the frame. I like the way the chair is spot-lit, it gives the artwork a photographic quality. The weave of the seat is fascinating, there is a clear tonal variation. It reminds me of Agnes Martin's grid paintings and their subtle textures. The way the chair sits, tilted slightly back, is interesting too. It gives the impression that it's been used, that it's taken the weight of someone rocking back and forth, back and forth. As with all paintings, this small image leaves plenty of room for different interpretations and, as such, starts to feel less like a representation of an object and more like a portal into a realm of possibility.