‘The Disasters of War’, Goya, 1810 + ‘The Apocalypse of St John’, Dürer, c. 1500 1995 - 2007

Editor: This work, by León Ferrari, incorporates Goya’s ‘The Disasters of War’ and Dürer’s ‘The Apocalypse of St John’. The stark black and white imagery creates a really disturbing effect. How do you interpret this combination of images? Curator: Ferrari’s appropriation highlights the enduring legacy of violence and religious dogma. It critiques power structures across centuries, suggesting that the horrors of war and apocalyptic anxieties are intertwined. How does the juxtaposition make you feel? Editor: It's unsettling, linking historical events to broader cycles of violence. Curator: Exactly. Ferrari is prompting us to consider how these narratives perpetuate systemic oppression. He challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about history and its continued impact. Editor: I hadn't considered the cyclical nature of the imagery before, that’s interesting. Curator: Thinking about these images together really drives home how relevant these historical criticisms still are today.