X-radiograph(s) of "John Torrey (?)" 

Curator: Here we have an X-radiograph of "John Torrey (?),” attributed to John Mare. It’s a fascinating look beneath the surface, literally and figuratively. Editor: It certainly is! My first impression is that the canvas texture takes center stage here. It's almost aggressively present, a rigid grid. Curator: Yes, and that texture speaks volumes! The weave embodies labor and the very structure upon which identity is constructed. Who was John Torrey? What positionality did he occupy? Editor: And how did Mare construct the portrait? This x-ray lets us examine the building up of paint, the decisions, the underlayers... the physical process itself. Curator: Absolutely. This radiograph lets us question the nature of representation and the cultural values embedded in portraiture. Editor: It reveals the raw materials and techniques involved, almost demystifying the artistic process. I find it quite refreshing. Curator: It gives us a chance to engage in critical deconstruction. It allows us to acknowledge that identity, like art, is constructed. Editor: Indeed. This work’s strength lies in making visible what’s usually hidden, the tangible reality behind the art.