Backstage 1975

Curator: This is "Backstage" by Zsuzsi Roboz, a Hungarian-British artist born in 1939. It resides here at the Tate. The piece is striking, isn't it? Editor: Yes, somber. The monochrome palette creates a sense of weariness. The slumped figures evoke a feeling of vulnerability and exposure, almost like a forced unveiling. Curator: Roboz had a fascination with performers, and here, it feels like she’s captured a raw, unglamorous moment of pre or post-performance exhaustion. You can almost feel the weight of expectation, the performative labor. Editor: Absolutely. It highlights the labor of performance, the physical and emotional toll often invisibilized. It makes me think about the historical objectification of the female form in art, but here, perhaps Roboz grants them a quiet agency. Curator: I find it intensely empathetic, a glimpse behind the curtain. It makes you wonder about their stories, their dreams, their realities beyond the stage. Editor: For me, it’s a powerful reminder of the human cost behind artistic creation, a silent protest against the relentless demands placed on performers. Curator: A poignant reflection indeed. Editor: Yes, a moment of contemplation on the quiet struggles behind the spectacle.