Zebra and a Boy 

Editor: This is Jahar Dasgupta’s painting, "Zebra and a Boy," painted with acrylic on canvas. It strikes me as both whimsical and strangely intimate; the color palette is vibrant. What underlying narratives or contexts might be at play here? Curator: That intimacy is key. Consider the historical power dynamics inherent in depicting human-animal relationships. Who is being subjugated or who benefits, and how is this encoded visually? And consider that, visually, this piece adopts a style we now loosely call abstract expressionism, an artform dominated historically by white male artists, so how does this impact a postcolonial reading? Editor: So, it's a reversal? Traditionally, you'd expect to see humans dominating the animal form in art... Here, there's an embrace. What is Dasgupta trying to say by depicting this relationship with so much...tenderness? Curator: Perhaps he’s challenging those conventional hierarchies, or proposing a future founded on empathetic connections that transcend species. Does the androgynous figure of the child contribute to this disruption of the norm? Can this figure and the zebra serve as metaphors for marginalized identities finding solidarity in a shared space? Think about colonial narratives that depicted encounters between humans and animals – where were they located geographically? What’s Dasgupta saying by situating his scene amidst lush greenery? Editor: You've opened my eyes to the potential complexities! I initially saw a peaceful scene. But, it sounds like Dasgupta is encouraging a deeper exploration of social and political commentaries. Curator: Exactly! Consider also the symbolism of the zebra, its stripes as markers of difference, perhaps mirroring societal divides that need to be challenged. It adds a layer of visual rhetoric. Editor: That makes me see how the artist brings forth issues that intertwine colonialism and power to the relationships of the figures. Thank you. Curator: Absolutely. By interrogating art through these frameworks, we unlock a greater understanding of ourselves, of the society we inhabit, and of the urgent need for equity across all levels.