Scar 

Curator: This powerful portrait, titled "Scar" by Fernanda Suarez, presents us with a figure exuding resilience amidst what seems like a trial by fire. Editor: My first impression is of controlled intensity, the orange and red tones feel both fiery and oddly… nurturing. It's almost as if the subject is forged within the flames rather than consumed by them. I want to get closer and examine the materiality. Curator: It is interesting that you say "nurturing," because the scar across his eye and the dark jacket suggests something more ominous. He stares directly out at us with striking eyes, as if daring us to underestimate him. There's a history etched on his face, both literally and figuratively. He is both powerful and a survivor. Editor: Look closely though—there is "Long Live the King" emblazoned across the t-shirt under that jacket! The artist is intentionally playing with these loaded signs of royalty, dominance, and subversion. Who is being consumed and by what process? Perhaps, it's the death of one paradigm leading to another… a new making and a remaking of material, culture and society! Curator: Yes, I see the echoes of power struggles in that bold lettering! There is no other sign to indicate who exactly he reigns over... maybe himself? There’s an almost theatrical quality about the backdrop. And if you notice the textures, the blending of smooth skin tones against the harsh reds – I read that as an internal battle externalized, raw and unflinching. Editor: Agreed, but observe the meticulous detail. The crisp edge of that synthetic jacket contrasts sharply with the implied flames around him and his textured dreadlocks. Every element suggests intentional manufacture… This tells me that we should not fixate solely on the symbolism, we also have to examine the processes that enable its making. Curator: A wonderful perspective, you know, maybe Suarez is trying to reveal strength through vulnerability? The title itself speaks volumes. The piece suggests beauty lies in recognizing and owning your experiences... Editor: Absolutely, it reminds us to dissect, engage and appreciate the conditions, the labour, and the cultural context shaping art today!