Creature 2018

Curator: What an odd little thing, at once elegant and slightly disturbing. Editor: That’s certainly a reaction. Let’s take a closer look. What we have here is a 2018 watercolour drawing titled "Creature" by Thiago Boecan. At first glance, what intrigues me most is the controlled spontaneity of the medium. The blending of washes evokes both form and fluidity. Curator: It's awkward! But that may be the point. To my eyes, Boecan has tapped into the contemporary human experience. We are constantly re-evaluating our relationships with nature. Note the artist's technique; this watercolour work challenges conventional divisions between so-called 'fine art' and 'illustration'. Editor: Perhaps. What I see, however, is an ambiguous figuration—something vaguely familiar yet wholly strange. The stark contrast in value, from near-black to translucent washes, defines a clear hierarchy. Light emerges from the throat and belly, as if emanating from within. Curator: I cannot ignore how that "inner light" could equally be a reflection of industrial pollution, perhaps representing the animal's digestion of man-made byproducts. Boecan's choices remind me of questions concerning consumption habits that impact not only the subject itself, but society at large. Editor: Hmm, I concede the reading is valid. Although, to my mind, this has more to do with the exploration of interiority; the contrast and distortion of forms speaks to a more universal investigation of self. The elongated neck arched toward some unseen source creates tension, longing perhaps? Curator: Fair point, its pose does strike an ambivalent tone. Overall, reflecting on both aesthetic merits and ecological commentary, this unique "Creature" reveals both our strange beauty and environmental culpability. Editor: Absolutely, whether interpreted through the lens of self-examination or societal critique, the work stands as a testament to Boecan’s compelling artistic vision.