Whitby 

Editor: This watercolor, "Whitby" by John Thomas Serres, depicts a lively seascape with ships battling some pretty choppy waves. It feels very… dynamic! What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: I see a potent depiction of human struggle against nature, but also against the backdrop of imperial ambition. Consider the ships – tools of trade, exploration, and often, colonization. Who benefits from this activity and who is placed in vulnerable situations? How is power expressed in this seascape? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It's easy to get caught up in the beauty of the scene and forget the socio-political implications. Curator: Exactly. Art invites us to see beyond the surface, to question the narratives and power dynamics at play. How does this influence your initial response? Editor: I'll definitely be thinking more critically about these aspects in the future.