Chain Gang is typical of Law’s mature work of the 1930s and 40s. In her  own words, “I put down what I see, wherever I am, and the result is a  record of life in a small southern town.” Interest in real-life  characters and situations was common among students of Robert Henri. But  although obviously deeply influenced by Henri and devoted to the themes  of American Scene painting, Law incorporated modernist influences into  her work through her repetition of forms, simplified composition, and  vibrant color. 

Many of her works depict the lives and routines of rural  laborers, often African Americans. The number and variety of works which  deal with this theme in her oeuvre reveal a deep attachment and  interest. Since Law accurately depicted the visual landscape of a small,  early 20th century southern town, her works sometimes depict  politically charged or historically challenging subject matter. Such works, as in the case of Chain Gang, often depict scenes which no longer  exist in Southern culture, and as such reflect the changing historical  narratives of America. But they stand as a testament to the complex  social journey that Americans have taken from our nation’s inception to  the present day.  

The curatorial staff of the Spartanburg Art Museum feels it is a vital responsibility of Museums to preserve such challenging and sometimes difficult historical documents.