Seabuns 2017

Editor: This is Camilla d'Errico's "Seabuns" from 2017, a watercolour painting that blends realism and surrealism in a whimsical way. It’s so…gentle! The colors are pastel, and the subject matter is unexpectedly cute. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a subversion of expectations around cuteness, one deeply embedded within societal narratives. D’Errico often explores the tension between surface appearances and underlying realities. This creature, superficially adorable, sits within an environment that feels both dreamlike and potentially fragile, given its watercolor medium. The 'Seabun' becomes a metaphor for how we project innocence and vulnerability, onto beings and perhaps, onto broader ecosystems. What do you make of its rainbow tail? Editor: The rainbow tail seems like a pretty straightforward symbol of hope and diversity. Maybe a little cliché? Curator: Cliché, perhaps, but effective. Think about the cultural context: the increased visibility and politicization of LGBTQ+ identities, coupled with environmental anxieties. This tail becomes more than just color; it’s a flag, a declaration. But whose hope is this, and whose diversity is being centered? Is this a flattening of intersectional experiences into a singular aesthetic? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. It challenges the simple message and makes me consider how symbols can be used in different ways, sometimes even superficially. Curator: Precisely. And this complexity is where d'Errico's work truly engages us. It provokes a conversation far beyond the immediate, charming aesthetic. It makes us consider power, representation, and responsibility within visual culture. Editor: That makes me look at the painting completely differently, there’s way more than meets the eye. Thanks for helping me to consider a different approach! Curator: My pleasure. Keep questioning, keep exploring. Art history is a constantly evolving conversation.