Banner; verso: Banner c. 19th century

Editor: This is Edward Burne-Jones' "Banner," a pencil drawing. It feels very unfinished and fragile to me. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a powerful symbol, ripe for interrogation. What banner does this represent? Is it a call to arms, or a surrender? Given Burne-Jones’s involvement in the Arts and Crafts movement, consider the socio-political implications of craftsmanship versus mass production. Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way. It does make me wonder about the message behind it. Curator: Exactly. This is where art history intersects with contemporary theory. How does this “unfinished” banner speak to ongoing struggles for visibility and representation? Editor: That's a great point. I'm learning to look at art in a new way. Curator: And I am reminded of art's continued role in sparking dialogue.