Birds Of Prey 9 

Editor: So this is "Birds of Prey 9" by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau, created with acrylic paint. It definitely has that comic book energy, but the characters seem darker, more serious than some comics I’ve seen. What symbols or deeper meanings are at play here? Curator: Look at the costumes themselves; aren’t they a powerful shorthand? The Hawk imagery, especially, carries significant weight. Think of ancient civilizations – the hawk was a symbol of power, vision, and freedom. In modern terms, especially when rendered in such stark red and white, it almost carries a militaristic overtone, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I do, actually. The color combination makes it stand out. Curator: Yes. And what about the other characters? Their clothing isn’t accidental. Each costume is a visual language hinting at the character’s persona, abilities, perhaps even vulnerabilities. How do their specific traits tie into our modern understanding of archetypes of power and femininity? Editor: That makes me think of the almost cartoonish outfit on the one supposed to be "Batgirl" standing almost coy, while another with what appear to be broken legs seems much less comic and more gothic horror. Curator: Exactly. The artist employs archetypes, updating the symbolism for a contemporary audience that’s fluent in these visual cues. This isn’t just about surface-level appeal, it speaks volumes about evolving concepts of heroism, particularly female strength, across generations. What have you personally noticed regarding the ways artists remix, or "update," such emblems from the past? Editor: It seems that symbols are updated, subverted, made less clear for people. They have changed like memes that get remade constantly, their meanings more easily bent. This was very interesting, thank you! Curator: Indeed. Through studying their iteration, we see just how the narrative of the past adapts to inform the ever-evolving present.