Decorations for Home Relief Bureau c. 1936 - 1939

Florence Kent Hunter created this print, "Decorations for Home Relief Bureau", likely during the 1930s. It reflects the intersection of art and social responsibility during the Great Depression. Hunter, born in 1917, would have witnessed firsthand the widespread economic hardship and the New Deal programs aimed at addressing it. This work references one such program - the Home Relief Bureau - providing assistance to those in need. The composition is split into contrasting scenes: one of labor and domesticity, and the other of leisure and entertainment. These scenes offer a commentary on the varied experiences within a society grappling with economic disparity. Hunter challenges traditional representation by infusing her subjects with a sense of dignity. "Decorations for Home Relief Bureau" invites reflection on the role of art in addressing societal issues and documents the emotional landscape of a nation in crisis, revealing both its struggles and its resilience.