Pelican c. 20th century

Curator: This is John Bernard Flannagan's sculpture, "Pelican," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It appears so stoic, almost burdened, doesn't it? Curator: Flannagan worked directly with the stone, allowing the natural form to dictate the emerging figure, which speaks to themes of organic development and truth to materials. Editor: Pelicans are associated with sacrifice and nurturing in Christian iconography. Was Flannagan engaging with this symbolism, perhaps reflecting on the era's social anxieties or personal struggles? Curator: The sculpture’s reductive form invites contemplation on the inherent qualities of the stone itself – its texture, density, and the way light plays across its surface. Editor: Understanding Flannagan's work through both the lens of its formal construction and its potential socio-historical contexts enriches our appreciation. Curator: Indeed, it's through that interplay we deepen our understanding.