Sunrise 11.7.90 1990

Curator: Maggi Hambling’s watercolor, Sunrise 11.7.90, captures a fleeting moment with incredible lightness, don't you think? Editor: Lightness, yes, but there's also a raw urgency in the brushstrokes. The sky feels bruised, almost ominous despite the title. Curator: Well, Hambling is known for her seascapes which were often inspired by the Suffolk coastlines, and they definitely delve into themes beyond simple beauty. Editor: Exactly. Considering the date in the title, I wonder about the socio-political climate of the time. Were there anxieties or upheavals that seeped into her artistic expression? Curator: It’s certainly worth considering. Hambling's work often explores both personal and public grief, so this sunrise may symbolize a struggle towards hope. Editor: It reminds me that even moments of beauty can be intertwined with complex emotions and historical context. The personal is political, after all. Curator: A fitting reminder as we consider the layers of meaning artists embed within their work. Editor: Indeed. It compels us to look beyond the surface.