Osprey 1974

Editor: Here we have Dame Elisabeth Frink's "Osprey." It's difficult to put my finger on the medium, but the texture is quite tactile, especially in the bird's plumage. What strikes you about it? Curator: Consider the post-war context. Frink’s work often utilized industrial materials, highlighting the means of production. Is this a print? How does the reproduction process inform the reading of the animal subject? Is it about abundance or scarcity? Editor: That's a really interesting point. I hadn't considered the implications of it being a print and how that connects to mass production. Curator: Exactly. The materiality challenges traditional notions of the unique art object, questioning its value and accessibility. What does an osprey signify when mass-produced? Editor: I'll definitely look at Frink's work in a new light now! Curator: Indeed, art's power lies not just in its image but also in the story of its making.