Jumbo(fragment) 

Editor: This painting is called "Jumbo (fragment)" by Sue Coe. The oil paint gives it this gritty, almost unsettling texture, and the elephants... they seem so burdened. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, considering Sue Coe's well-documented activism, and her focus on animal rights, I immediately think about the ethics of circuses. It feels like a critique of power dynamics, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely. The juxtaposition of the performing elephants with the ringmaster, almost lurking, creates that tension. Do you think the "fragment" in the title implies a larger narrative? Curator: Absolutely. Fragments invite us to fill in the blanks. Who is exploiting whom? Coe consistently challenged hierarchical systems; looking at this painting, are the animals being controlled or are they putting on an act for the lions above them? Editor: It's hard to ignore the anthropomorphism too; giving animals human characteristics throws into question the treatment of animals, right? Almost like saying, “these creatures are more like us than we think”? Curator: Exactly! And where do those perceived differences permit abuse? In many ways, I would argue that Coe invites us to dismantle harmful power dynamics perpetuated across race, gender, class and species. How might we build ethical, sustainable relations in their place? Editor: I never thought about it that way! It’s so powerful when art encourages us to consider how we engage with each other and other species. Thanks! Curator: The beauty of art is in those shared moments of revelation! Hopefully, now we all might pause and ask ourselves questions about how we engage with non-human beings, in terms of empathy and maybe ethics as well.