Sheep Head B 1979

Curator: Here we see Menashe Kadishman's "Sheep Head B," part of the Tate collection. Editor: It's striking! The colors are so unexpected, almost dreamlike, with the sheep rendered in this vibrant pink against that yellow backdrop. Curator: Indeed, Kadishman's series of sheep portraits became very important in understanding the trauma of the Holocaust. The vulnerable sheep became stand-ins for human victims. Editor: The composition is quite interesting; the texture seems almost woodcut-like, particularly in the background. What is your interpretation of this visual style? Curator: Kadishman's choice of media is also interesting; this print work allowed it to be widely distributed, becoming a political statement. Editor: I see the piece now, and the more symbolic implications of color and composition are starting to come to light. The pink, once vibrant, now feels more like a bruise. Curator: Yes, Kadishman challenges us to confront difficult memories. Editor: Thank you; I see it so differently now.