In art, the chair implies presence as well as an absence

Above: “Ghost Town Chair” by Edward M. Fielding

I often use empty chairs in my photography work to imply the human occupation of space – past or present. Or the absence of humans. The chair is a stand-in for people, a character to occupy an otherwise empty space.

The chair can symbolize loss or the hope of a return. The chair can imply loneliness or a restful place to sit down after a long day or hike into the wilderness. A chair in a remote unexpected place can provide evidence of nearby human companionship or it can represent evidence of long-absent occupants in an abandoned space.

A chair is a familiar object. One we all use every day, an object distinctly created for the human body. The chair is a physical reminder of human occupation of space, a proxy for humans not currently in the space.

A chair can have character. Character-based on its design, based on its location, based on its condition, and even based on its placement in regard to other objects around it.

A chair implies an extended commitment to a place. On a long hike you might choose a rock as a perch for a short rest but investing the time and effort in making a chair, with all of its pieces and complex joinery, is a commitment to spending time in a place, to have a meal, to talk with friends, to read the newspaper, to create a home.

A chair can become a favorite. A chair can be a symbol of power from a king’s throne to a seat at the head of the table. A chair can become a familiar “friend” in a lonely life.

Vincent Van Gogh''s Chair — *Van Gogh painted this picture as a pendant to another painting he made at the same time* as Gauguin’s Chair. The paintings were done in December 1888, when the relationship between Gauguin and Van Gogh had become strained, and though as getting nothing had been mentioned, Van Gogh was aware of the fact that his dream of sharing a studio was rapidly disintegrating. His simple chair sits empty, symbolic of its absent owner, and is an image that is infinitely sad. It is an extraordinary instance of propelling a most familiar object beyond the realm of still life so that it comes to represent the artist himself.

Take a seat Iceland by Edward M. Fielding — “Take a seat Iceland” by Edward M. Fielding

A single white chair in the middle of the dramatic, remote and harsh Iceland landscape can be seen as an oasis. This barren landscape provides no other place for a human to stop and rest for miles around. The chair as a refuge.

“Bryant Park Chairs NYC” by Edward M. Fielding

Multiple chairs in a park set at random angles suggest conversation and interaction such as these chairs in New York City’s Bryant Park.

While a single chair can represent loneliness, two chairs imply friendship and companionship. One can imagine sipping wine with an old friend and shooting the breeze, taking in a beautiful autumn day in these chairs.

Red Chairs by the Lake — “Red Chairs By The Lake” by Edward M. Fielding

At the lake by Edward M. Fielding — “At the lake” by Edward M. Fielding

Diner by Edward M. Fielding — “Diner” by Edward M. Fielding

Single chairs on the other hand often represent a solo existence, perhaps a solitary life with a lack of companionship. The single chair with no mate seems to indicate the owner does not expect company.

“Old 1930 Silver Camping Trailer” by Edward M. Fielding

Chair by the window - abandoned home in Grafton Ghost Town, Rockville, Utah — “Chair by the window” by Edward M. Fielding – abandoned home in Grafton Ghost Town, Rockville, Utah.

In this photograph of an old broken chair in a home among the ghost town buildings of abandoned Grafton, Utah, I positioned the single chair facing away from the camera to represent the missing populous of this forgotten town. A single chair represents the loss of human occupation in this space.

Symbolism of the Empty Chair in Art

In art, the chair implies presence as well as an absence