Germaphobe 

Editor: Lucia Heffernan's oil painting, "Germaphobe", features a very expressive pug, face partially covered by a red t-shirt that boldly proclaims 'Germ Free Zone.' He's holding a spray bottle as if ready for action. The whole scene is surrounded by cartoonish germs. What statement do you think the artist is trying to make with this rather humorous image? Curator: This image definitely speaks to our contemporary moment, doesn’t it? I see it operating on a couple of levels. The pug, in its somewhat anxious demeanor, clearly embodies the anxieties surrounding hygiene and contamination that have become heightened in recent years, particularly with the rise of pandemics and increased awareness of public health. How do you think the artist is reflecting these anxieties? Editor: Well, the germs floating around certainly underscore the pervasiveness of those anxieties. Is it a critique, perhaps, of how obsessed we’ve become with cleanliness? Curator: Precisely! And it invites us to consider how societal pressures and cultural narratives shape our individual behaviors and perceptions. The humorous treatment normalizes as it gently satirizes germaphobia, a term first used around the start of the 20th century as the science of germs came into public consciousness, thus becoming embedded within our popular consciousness as a form of anxiety. The public role of this image lies in sparking conversation. How can art address societal anxieties? Editor: That’s fascinating. So, it’s about using art to question our anxieties and social norms, not just reflect them. It sounds like you’re seeing how popular depictions have shaped not just how people feel, but the collective anxiety in an ongoing cycle. Curator: Exactly. Art shapes, and is shaped by, its cultural landscape. Editor: That's really insightful. It has given me a lot to think about. Thank you.