Prohibition 1930

Editor: So, this is George Wiggins's "Prohibition," a print made with pencil and charcoal, created around 1930. There's a lot going on, but I’m immediately struck by how… claustrophobic it feels, yet full of illicit joy. The composition, with all those shadowy figures crammed into what looks like a speakeasy, really evokes that sense of furtive excitement. What do you make of it? Curator: You know, I feel that 'hush-hush' energy radiating right off it. Like you've stumbled into a secret only revealed after whispering the password. See how Wiggins plays with light and shadow? The glow of the lamp, the faces emerging from the gloom… it’s like capturing stolen moments. What kind of story do you think these furtive arrangements tell? Editor: Definitely a story about defiance. You know, flouting the rules. Do you think he’s romanticizing this illegal behaviour, or is there a critical perspective too? Curator: That’s the artist's clever dance, isn't it? Wiggins isn't just presenting a party scene; he’s winking at the absurdity of the whole Prohibition era. There’s a liveliness, but also an underlying… melancholy? Knowing these soirees happened in defiance of a nationwide ban lends a certain gravitas to these otherwise jolly people. It prompts you to consider what else might lie beneath the surface. It really calls for looking more carefully to uncover all of the implications behind those revels. Don't you think? Editor: I do, and the title is pretty telling too! It's made me rethink how artists use everyday settings to communicate something deeper. Curator: Absolutely, Wiggins masterfully transforms what might seem like a common, 'speakeasy' setting into a profound commentary. A reflection of a very rebellious historical mood through careful composition and a delicate treatment of materials. What a world.