7 of 7 etchings in Porfolio: White Mammals 1998

Editor: This is Kiki Smith's etching, "7 of 7 etchings in Portfolio: White Mammals." It's quite large, almost the size of a small rug. The image of the rabbit is haunting. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Smith's choice of the rabbit is fascinating. Throughout history, rabbits have been burdened with complex symbolism, often linked to fertility and vulnerability, but also witchcraft. Smith is reclaiming the symbol to challenge how marginalized bodies are represented. Editor: That's interesting. I didn't think of witchcraft. Curator: Consider her feminist perspective. How might the historical persecution of women, often framed as "animalistic," inform Smith's work here? It invites reflection on power, otherness, and embodied experience. Editor: I hadn't considered those connections. This gives me a lot to think about. Curator: Exactly, and that's the power of art, isn't it?