Loon 1988

Curator: We're looking at "Loon," a 1988 print by Neil Welliver. It presents a striking image of a loon floating on water. Editor: Immediately, I notice the patterns, almost geometric in a way, and the color choices feel very intentional, calming. Curator: Welliver, despite aligning himself with realism, often distorted perspective and color to achieve certain effects. His works tend to celebrate and capture scenes from nature as they are and stand for their pure intrinsic nature, far removed from cultural contexts. Editor: Yet the loon itself carries a weight, culturally. Across many indigenous traditions, it’s often associated with tranquility, a connection to the spirit world, or even the cry for help. I am curious about Welliver's intentions behind selecting this very potent symbol for his work. Curator: It's tempting to imbue the artist's intent with symbolic meaning but perhaps Welliver was merely intrigued by the aesthetic aspect and qualities of the bird as something to reproduce. During his lifetime, Welliver and his family would make observations and interactions with the bird. He aimed for the faithful reproduction of his source of inspiration which happens to have a large presence in the cultural memory of that period. Editor: Still, look at the mirroring in the water—how the reflection distorts, but also completes, the image of the bird. It highlights the relationship between the seen and the unseen, which in a way brings to question the notion of simply documenting the visible, and capturing the essence or nature of something. What do you make of it? Curator: As his landscapes often reflect a blend of observation and construction and he has long focused on capturing the "sense" of a particular location in its own intrinsic terms, it’s highly probable that this is what the effect generated. It is not merely the faithful imitation of form but capturing and conveying that immediate experience to others. Editor: Well, however straightforward it might have been intended, I see echoes of deeper themes resonating through this striking visual. It all makes you contemplate that space between observer and subject. Curator: Indeed. It highlights how an artist can, through a seemingly straightforward depiction, engage with enduring cultural imagery and natural forms.