Meaning & History

Colonialism is an inescapable reality that shapes every facet of Black life, influencing even discussions of rest and the objects associated with it. When conceptualizing the Spinal-Back Chair, I was deeply drawn to the historical intersections between European furniture and its entanglement with plantations. In particular, the ladderback category of chair captured my attention because of its ties to the transatlantic slave trade. When examining this history, the transport of people and produce often dominates the narrative. However, I began to ask: What furniture was being transported across the Atlantic? As colonialism took root in America the ladderback chair became one of the most ubiquitous seating forms in colonial America, primarily due to its adaptability. Despite the versatility ladderbacks are known to be uncomfortable to sit in for long periods because of its straight wooden backrest.

Purpose of Work

This discomfort inspired the creation of the Spinal-Back Chair. Knowing that ladderbacks were commonly used by both enslaved and free individuals during colonial life, I sought to reimagine this iconic form through a contemporary lens. My design concept began with the idea of a lounge chair, one that would echo the natural curvatures of the human body—such as the ribcage and the multiple alignments of the spine—while offering a more deliberate sense of rest.