Behind The Veil 

Editor: This painting, “Behind The Veil,” is an oil on canvas by Julie Bell, a contemporary American artist. The image is dominated by these rearing, almost frantic-looking zebras, with a woman seemingly caught amongst them. The color palette is very dark, with splashes of vibrant red, and gives off a kind of dreamlike and unsettling vibe. What's your take on it? Curator: Oh, where to begin? Julie Bell pulls us into a fever dream, doesn’t she? It reminds me of a lucid dream, that state just before waking, where the subconscious lets loose. The zebras, those emblems of the wild, seem to morph into the landscape of inner turmoil. Do you notice the contrast between the chaotic zebras and the almost serene expression on the woman's face? Editor: I do. It's quite striking, really. Almost like she’s at peace with the chaos, or maybe even causing it? The veil in the title makes me think about hidden truths. Curator: Precisely! Perhaps she's unveiling, or being unveiled, revealing raw emotions or suppressed desires. The veil could be societal expectations, personal fears – that membrane we all hold between our true selves and the world. Does the presence of the fantastical creature change how you look at this piece, or what you think it may mean? Editor: It does, the humanlike animal qualities feel like a warning that the veil isn't all that different from reality. It feels as if Julie Bell were trying to warn us that fantasy isn't always an escape. Curator: Beautifully put! And the erotic tension! It’s not blatant; it's entwined with danger, with the primal instincts represented by those magnificent creatures. Maybe it’s about owning our animalistic selves, shedding the masks we wear, even when it’s frightening. Thanks to this piece, I wonder how many of my masks should be removed. Editor: That’s definitely something to think about! This artwork provides an invitation to explore your most honest and truest self!