Struck Dumb 1988

Curator: "Struck Dumb"—isn't that a compelling title? It's a 1988 piece by Richard Deacon, constructed with mixed media, including metal. It's rather…imposing. Editor: Absolutely. It reminds me of a gargantuan beetle turned on its back, struggling but failing to right itself. What’s striking is the tension between its weight and the implied vulnerability. Curator: Yes! That awkward grace is quintessential Deacon, I think. It’s like a stranded submarine that accidentally stumbled into a children’s playground. The scale disrupts any expectation of daintiness. Did you notice how those riveted bands sort of discipline that unruly bulging form? Editor: I did. They feel like constraints—both structural and perhaps metaphorical. Given the title, "Struck Dumb," do you think Deacon is making a comment about imposed silence or the limitations of expression? Is this art grappling with censorship, either internal or external? Curator: Hmm, censorship. Always a hot topic, right? But perhaps it’s a bit more personal. These biomorphic forms he favours—they suggest a kind of primal language struggling to articulate. It's a failure of language, but also, perhaps, the recognition that some things are beyond words. Look how the curves soften that very industrial look; that oxblood-red plate almost grounds it, despite the metal exterior. It makes me think of the frustration we all sometimes face. Editor: Fascinating point. Considering the political backdrop of the late '80s, when governments were becoming more cautious, these forms could definitely symbolize societal unease. The question is, was this Deacon’s specific intention or is it the spirit of the times reflecting in his creative response? Curator: I’d bet on a delicious mix of both. Artists, you know, are these cultural weather vanes, picking up on breezes before they become gales. Even the best intentions end up having cultural significance no artist really considers as they create! What a world this is! Editor: Indeed! It’s like gazing into an alien language, searching for shared meanings in our own internal mirrors. Food for thought!