Peacocks 1985

Editor: Here we have Piroska Szanto’s “Peacocks,” created in 1985. It looks like mixed media on paper—maybe watercolor and ink? The drawing feels vibrant and almost mystical. What strikes me most is the layering of the forms and colours, with this interesting ‘eye’ motif distributed throughout the peacock's plumage. How do you interpret this work, focusing on the visual elements? Curator: It is tempting to become allegorical with such obviously symbolic and loaded figures as peacocks. However, to purely consider the visual dynamic, note how Szanto creates an arresting image through the deployment of line and colour. The relatively limited palette of blues, yellows, and reds creates a powerful contrast against the ground. Observe too, how line dictates much of the image's energy—particularly in the bird’s fanned tail where repeated strokes suggest movement and visual intricacy. Are you also struck by the composition and arrangement of the birds? Editor: Absolutely, the composition feels intentionally unbalanced. Three heads appear clustered together in the top half, offset by the fanned tail feathers below. This creates a sense of dynamic tension, as though the image might topple over. The use of repeated circular shapes also adds rhythm. Curator: Precisely. Szanto deftly manipulates pictorial space, line, and colour, transforming readily recognisable symbols into an evocative expression of aesthetic arrangement. These formal components give the artwork its unique voice. And might one see echoes of Eastern European folk art here? Editor: I can see that – I appreciate how you brought my attention to the formal qualities. Considering just the form sharpens the appreciation, setting aside all the symbolic expectations associated with the peacocks. Curator: Indeed. Focusing on how elements interplay in this image helps appreciate the artist’s particular sensibility in creating unique visual expression.