Side Chair c. 1936

Editor: This is Lawrence Phillips' "Side Chair" from around 1936, done in coloured pencil. There's something so precise about it, almost like a blueprint, but it's also quite beautiful. What catches your eye in this work? Curator: What's fascinating here is how the artist chose to represent this chair. It's not just about depicting the object itself but also about the labour and skill involved in its production. Consider the wood used, its source, and the craftsmanship needed to shape it into these elegant curves. How does that influence your perception? Editor: I guess I was mostly thinking about the aesthetic, but the chair really does embody so much work. Do you think Phillips wanted us to consider furniture making as an art form? Curator: Exactly! Think about the social context. During the 1930s, there was a rising appreciation for functional design and the role of craft. This drawing elevates the status of everyday objects. The artist uses coloured pencil to showcase the textures and materiality. It’s not only about what the chair looks like but also about how it's made and its place in society. It’s an attempt to examine the means of production within design, don’t you agree? Editor: I do, that shifts my understanding quite a bit. It is really about the artistic merit of the craftsmanship. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. Considering art from a materialist perspective allows us to really examine production.