Bishop Hill: Chair

Editor: So this is "Bishop Hill: Chair" created around 1936 by Wellington Blewett, using what looks like watercolor, charcoal and pencil on paper. It's a pretty straightforward depiction of a chair, but there's a charming quality to it, like a study for something bigger. How do you interpret this seemingly simple drawing? Curator: The drawing’s deceptive simplicity raises interesting questions about the role of art and design during that period. Is it purely a functional rendering, meant for practical application? Or does the choice to represent this humble chair, using artistic techniques, suggest a deeper appreciation for vernacular design? Consider that in the 1930s, American Regionalism was popular, a style which focused on realistic scenes of rural life. Could this chair be an example of an artist bringing art to the everyday lives of the people? Editor: That's interesting – I hadn't thought about the artistic value of everyday objects being a statement. The artist isn’t just showing the object, but giving worth to it? Curator: Exactly! By rendering a common chair with care and skill, Blewett invites us to consider the aesthetics and values embedded in such utilitarian items. Were similar chairs used in schools? Post offices? Community spaces? The setting in which it was commonly found certainly impacts its reception, doesn't it? Editor: So by highlighting an everyday object, Blewett subtly comments on society and the appreciation, or lack thereof, for the objects that make up our lives. Curator: Precisely! This piece, seemingly simple, asks deeper questions about our culture, our design, and what we consider worthy of artistic representation. Editor: I'll never look at a chair the same way again. Thank you. Curator: It’s been my pleasure. This piece is certainly more than the sum of its parts!