Blue 2006

Editor: Here we have Mary Fedden's "Blue," a watercolour painting from 2006. It features two vases of flowers and a bunch of grapes, all in varying shades of blue, purple, and white. There’s almost a child-like simplicity to the composition. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, beyond its initial charm, this piece speaks to the broader social history of women artists and their relationship to still life. Still life has often been relegated as 'feminine', deeming it less important than history painting. Fedden reclaims this space. Notice the flattening of perspective and simplified forms – is this a rebellion against traditional academic art which excluded so many women for so long? How does the "naïve art" style change your interpretation of the message? Editor: That’s a great point! I hadn't considered the historical context of the still life genre. I was mainly thinking of the color palette. Do the blues and purples have meaning? Curator: Absolutely. Blue, historically, represents melancholy but also spirituality and power. Consider its use in religious iconography; in this context, could Fedden be subtly elevating the everyday? Furthermore, the intimacy of watercolour lends itself to domestic scenes and private moments - but does Fedden subtly challenge those gendered assumptions through the composition’s assertive clarity? Editor: I see. So, she's not just painting pretty flowers; she's engaging in a dialogue with art history and gender roles. Now I notice the grapes. Do they add to this message at all? Curator: Food, like flowers, is often coded as 'feminine'. Yet think of their symbolism; abundance, fertility, even excess. How might Fedden be playing with these loaded signifiers? Are these quietly radical acts of claiming authority in spaces deemed insignificant? Editor: I never would have read all of that from a seemingly simple still life! Curator: Exactly! This is about seeing beyond the surface, understanding art as a product of its time, reflecting societal values, and occasionally… challenging them. Thanks, these sorts of conversation always clarify my thinking.