Herald of New Day 1932 - 1933

Curator: Leon Underwood’s sculpture, “Herald of New Day,” presents an elongated figure in a dynamic pose. It certainly embodies movement. Editor: My first thought is how unsettling this piece is. There's something almost grotesque about the figure's contorted posture and the stick piercing where its eye should be. Curator: Well, this sculpture perhaps reflects Underwood's interest in primitivism and his exploration of form, challenging conventional sculptural representations. The use of an unusual material also underscores a departure from traditional bronze or marble. Editor: Precisely. The lack of traditional materials pushes us to consider who is allowed to be represented in art, how, and by whom. It highlights the politics embedded in artistic representation itself. Curator: I see your point. However, one could interpret the upward thrust and open gesture as optimistic, symbolic of renewal and fresh beginnings, particularly in the context of the interwar period when it was made. Editor: While I acknowledge that interpretation, I think it's crucial to recognize how that optimism might have been exclusionary, reflecting a narrow, privileged perspective on societal progress. Curator: A vital consideration, prompting us to analyze the sculpture within its complex socio-political environment. Editor: Indeed, encouraging us to question whose new day is being heralded and at what cost.