Asteria & Selene 

Editor: Here we have "Asteria & Selene" by Sofia Bonati, a pen drawing featuring two figures. The contrast is striking; what captures my attention is the texture of the hair and the intricate linework of the background. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The focus for me is less on the figures themselves, though their depiction is skilled, and more on the way Bonati foregrounds the materials. It's a drawing, resolutely so, and the emphasis on pen and line, not to mention the stark contrasts achievable with those choices, pushes us to think about production. Consider how those swirling lines, repeated so meticulously, speak to the labour involved. Editor: That’s interesting. So, the medium is the message here, so to speak? The materials used emphasize the production. Curator: Exactly. And consider the social context: we live in a digital age where images are readily available. This piece calls attention to the hand-made, the deliberate act of creation that resists mass production and the instantaneous nature of digital art. The pen strokes create depth in this work and force us to contemplate the act of the labor it took to create such linework and shadowing. It goes against the grain. What does that gesture mean? Editor: I see. It’s almost a comment on consumerism too, then? A push against the easily consumed digital image? Curator: Precisely. And further, it implicitly questions the hierarchy that has traditionally placed drawing below painting or sculpture. By showcasing the skill and impact achievable through a 'humble' medium, Bonati challenges those established power structures. How else might you think Bonati uses geometric shapes to impact this cultural commentary? Editor: That definitely shifts my perspective. I initially saw it as a striking portrait, but now I see it as a commentary on the art world itself, labor, and resisting artistic conventions. Thank you. Curator: Absolutely. It's a reminder that the means of production are just as crucial as the final product in understanding a piece’s meaning. I'll look at more works with that in mind now.