Still Life with Art Deco Goldfish Bowl, Curtain and Shells 1969

Curator: Colin Self created this graphite drawing, titled "Still Life with Art Deco Goldfish Bowl, Curtain and Shells," sometime in 1969. Editor: It feels claustrophobic, almost suffocating. The curtain looming over the fishbowl gives a sense of confinement. Curator: Self often explored themes of domestic unease during the Cold War, reflecting anxieties about suburban life. Notice how he uses a relatively mundane subject matter. Editor: Yes, the fishbowl becomes a symbol of the gilded cage, reflecting societal pressures and the illusion of freedom. Even the shells seem trapped. Curator: The drawing style is meticulously detailed. The contrast between light and shadow is quite striking. Self was a master of graphite. Editor: Do you think Self is challenging the traditional still life, turning it into a commentary on societal structures? Curator: Precisely! By taking the familiar and imbuing it with tension, he invites us to question our own roles within these systems. Editor: I'll be thinking about the artist's commentary on confinement long after this tour is over. Curator: Indeed, Self makes us reflect on the social constructs we take for granted.