Badger 1970

Editor: Here we have Dame Elisabeth Frink’s “Badger,” a print from the Tate Collection. It has a somewhat haunting quality, stark against the white background. What historical context can you offer? Curator: Frink often explored themes of vulnerability and power, reflecting anxieties of the Cold War era. Animals, like this badger, served as metaphors for human conditions and societal power structures. How do you see that reflected in its posture? Editor: It seems cautious, even wary. Is this a common theme in her work? Curator: Absolutely. Consider how Frink's sculptures of men often displayed a similar blend of strength and unease. The badger, in this light, isn't just an animal, but a symbol of survival in a potentially hostile environment. Editor: That really changes my perspective; it's not just a picture of a badger, but a reflection of societal tensions. Curator: Precisely, and it highlights how art engages with the public through accessible, yet profound, imagery.