“Fat Chair” is an installation artwork created in 1964 by the artist Joseph Beuys in Germany. Employing materials such as found objects, wax, fat, wire, and a wooden chair, this piece is a notable example of Conceptual Art. The artwork dimensions are 94.5 x 41.6 cm.
The artwork is executed with a humble, timeworn wooden chair as its central component, which is conspicuously modified with the addition of wax and fat. These materials are applied in a manner that disrupts the chair’s conventional form and function, inducing a visual and conceptual transformation. The rough, irregular layering of wax and fat appears organic and almost visceral, subverting the chair’s utilitarian design. In situ, the chair is shown propped against a wooden structure, further enhancing the juxtaposition between the commonplace and the altered state. This work exemplifies Beuys’ preoccupation with exploring the transformative potential of everyday materials.
