Defiance 

Editor: This artwork is entitled "Defiance" by Michael C. Hayes, it’s an acrylic painting depicting a strong figure against a fiery stained-glass background. I’m struck by the material contrast – the tangible weight of her clothing versus the ethereal nature of the flames. How do you see this painting? Curator: It's fascinating to consider this acrylic painting not merely as a representational image, but as an object born of specific materials and labor. The artist’s choice of acrylic, for example, cheap and versatile, positions it within a certain context of artistic production. Editor: Could you elaborate on that context? Curator: Absolutely. We should consider the means of production here. Acrylic paint’s accessibility influences not just the work's creation, but potentially its reception. This stands in stark contrast to say, oil paintings which demand a more specialist handling. Consider, too, the figure’s garb, leather and cloth; materials readily available, but presented within this fantastical setting. Editor: I see what you mean. So, it's less about the *image* of defiance and more about what the actual materials tell us. Curator: Precisely. The tension lies between the elevated subject matter—fantasy, magic, even witchcraft—and the somewhat commonplace materials used to realize it. It raises questions about the democratisation of artmaking, about access, and about how artists navigate these boundaries. It seems, from a material perspective that the very essence of the work’s defiance emerges from this collision. Editor: So, analysing it materially highlights how accessibility can redefine what art *can* be. That's quite a different perspective than just looking at the witch in the painting! Thank you for sharing. Curator: It was my pleasure. Considering art through its materiality, the means and context of production, often brings new light to a subject.