Seats of Power: Furniture and Authority

October 20, 2026 – August 14, 2027

Furniture might seem like the background noise of daily life—just things to sit on, sleep on, or pass through. But settle in and you’ll notice that these objects are not just passive props. Furniture guides us to behave, socialize, and even think in certain ways. Furniture can include or exclude, elevate or humble, and remind us of the invisible rules that structure our lives. Throughout the world, the right to sit, the privilege of comfort, and the very nature of identity have been given form through furniture. This exhibit explores different pieces of furniture from across the globe illuminating the stories of families, communities, and nations that use them.