Three heads 

Curator: Looking at this ink drawing titled "Three heads," what immediately strikes you? Editor: The stark contrast, both in the linework itself and in the implied expressions of these figures. They're so minimalist, yet so unsettling. The first head seems stern, the second... almost fractured, and the third quite literally has its mouth obscured. It creates a feeling of unease, of something hidden. Curator: Indeed. While the date for "Three heads" is currently undetermined, the stylistic and symbolic elements very much align with Malevich's explorations into the abstract. Notice how each figure has a kind of void bisecting the face, like masks worn askew or damage done. Editor: You know, seeing that obstruction as a deliberate, chosen thing makes the image far more complex. If each one has had a choice in obscuring part of themselves, that is almost more harrowing to consider. I am wondering, why just half the face? Curator: Malevich explored this throughout his career – the fracturing of form to suggest new orders of perception. Here, it reminds me of divided identities – public versus private, conscious versus unconscious. Each 'head' bears an undeniable relation to archetypal Russian figure- such as peasants or religious characters of the time, though robbed of complete identity. I would guess it to be an attempt by Malevich to dissect the persona versus the individual. Editor: It raises a pertinent question, especially considering the time in which Malevich worked: How much of our identity is constructed, performative, or forcibly imposed, and what happens when these constructions fracture or clash? Curator: Precisely. In his more theoretical writings, Malevich expressed such deep faith in an inner truth which could lead to higher consciousness, especially through art. As art historians, it is not easy to see just how such a thing might be. Editor: These images serve as a potent reminder of the ever-present tension between revelation and concealment, inviting the viewer to ponder on the true cost and shape of inner reality. Curator: An astute reflection – an important aspect to be gained. Thank you for illuminating further the complexities of Malevich for our audience.