“Sculpture in love with furniture”—these were the words Scott Burton used to describe his art. Burton began his career as an artist in 1972, when he painted an ordinary Queen Anne revival-style chair the color bronze. In 1975, he received a grant allowing the chair to be cast in bronze: it was later displayed at the Artists Space in Downtown New York. Presenting over 40 artworks, “Shape Shift” focuses on Burton’s use of furniture, interactive sculptures, and performance, and sheds light on his vision of conceptual art, public art, and queer art. In 1989, at age 50, Burton died of complications due to AIDS. His work played a significant role in paving the way for other queer artists. —Isabella Carter