Caligula 

Editor: This is "Caligula" by Troy Brooks, painted with acrylic. The butterflies and the stripes create a very whimsical, even dreamlike, quality. How do you interpret this work? Curator: What I see here is an exploration of the gaze and power, and it does this by creating a really potent surreal tableau. Consider the historical Caligula, a Roman emperor synonymous with excess and tyranny. Brooks isn't simply illustrating a historical figure, though; he’s dissecting the construction of femininity under oppressive regimes, using Caligula as a conduit. Editor: So, it's not really about Caligula the man? Curator: Exactly. The figure’s exaggerated features—those elongated fingers, the unsettling gaze—are tools. They warp traditional beauty standards, highlighting the performative nature of gender. Think about those vibrant colors and butterfly motifs: are they emblems of freedom or symbols of being pinned down, dissected under scrutiny? And how might we view the reflections underneath her, a ghosting or perhaps a truer form? Editor: It is unnerving now that you mention it, it seems more complicated than at first glance. The snakes as part of the hose were missed. Curator: Yes, consider this through the lens of thinkers like Foucault and his discourse of power. How does the act of being looked at shape our sense of self, particularly for women? It encourages questioning those visual codes and power structures embedded within seemingly innocent aesthetics. Editor: This is really insightful. I never thought about portraiture this way. Thanks for your perspective! Curator: Absolutely. Engaging with art means engaging with the politics of seeing and being seen, ultimately unpacking the complex layers of representation that shape our identities.