Drag 2007

Curator: This is Lisa Yuskavage’s “Drag,” created in 2007 using acrylic paint. The canvas presents a rather enigmatic, unsettling scene of two figures in an unusual landscape. Editor: Whoa. My first impression? It's like a fever dream you can't quite shake off. There’s something vulnerable yet defiant about those figures, shrouded in this almost eerie peach-tinged light. Are they lovers? Sisters? Is this about a literal drag performance? My mind is doing cartwheels. Curator: Yuskavage's work often navigates complex territories of desire, sexuality, and power. The title itself, "Drag," points to the idea of assuming a role, perhaps even a burden. It may hint at the ways societal expectations weigh upon individuals, especially women, in the construction of identity. Editor: That’s interesting… "Drag" can be a weight. There’s something deeply interior happening here, almost painful, even if the composition and the pastel hues lure you into this sense of otherworldly softness. They both look vulnerable, or resigned, or maybe even powerful despite being vulnerable, sitting together on an edge between two planes or times. Curator: Absolutely. There’s a sense of performance inherent in the tradition of nude portraiture, a push and pull between objectification and agency that Yuskavage actively explores. Looking at other examples of Yuskavage’s work, you can also see how she pulls from distinct historical references to further reinforce certain political dynamics. Editor: Exactly! And that raw, vulnerable edge to these figures makes them undeniably present, like they’re staring straight back, and the surreal surroundings create an unease – almost a threat of being absorbed by some larger, inscrutable, power. Is it all internal, I wonder, this dreamscape… or is it the literal landscape that poses this weight? The pale palette feels dangerous to me somehow. Curator: Perhaps the figures and the strange landscape underscore the cultural weight imposed upon the female body throughout history, yet also speak to the contemporary moment. Editor: Thinking about this work, the performance, vulnerability, and cultural narratives, makes it feel quite current and yet somehow… timeless. What an incredible pull to experience.