Fancy Feathers 

Editor: Here we have "Fancy Feathers" by Thomas Blackshear, rendered with oil paint. The contrast between the Native American man and the rather extravagant peacock is quite striking. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: It's the constructed nature of this "realism" that grabs my attention. Note the *juxtaposition* of elements. We have the sitter’s garments - possibly commercially produced versions of traditional attire - positioned against what seems to be a painted backdrop. Editor: I see what you mean. Curator: Precisely! Even the *making* of this painting—the layers of oil paint applied to canvas—speaks to a larger narrative of cultural representation as a commodity. Consider, too, the implied labour involved in the clothing manufacture as well as that of the artistic production itself. Who benefits from these visual constructions and how? Editor: So, you're suggesting the very materials and the act of painting itself become part of the statement? It's not just about *what* is depicted but *how*? Curator: Absolutely! The means of production are integral to understanding the message, perhaps even subverting initial expectations. Is it about representation, or *re*-presentation – a commercially viable repackaging of indigenous identity? The materials ask us to look at the economics behind the art. Editor: That's given me a totally new way to consider how we represent different cultures. I'll definitely keep the labor aspect in mind going forward! Curator: Excellent! Questioning the materials will always lead to new meanings!