10. The Flea 1978 - 1979

Curator: Graham Sutherland's print, "The Flea", is a startling image. The Tate holds this print from his intriguing series. What is your first take? Editor: The composition is striking. That oversized flea dominates the scene, the stark red backdrop heightens the sense of unease. Curator: It’s almost surreal, isn't it? Consider the historical context. World War II loomed. Sutherland, like many artists, responded to anxieties about societal vulnerability. Editor: Precisely. The flea, magnified, becomes a monstrous symbol of infestation, disease, and perhaps even the lurking threat of invasion. Curator: Absolutely. The domestic setting, the bed, the bedside table, are all invaded by this parasitic creature. It's a potent metaphor for violation. Editor: The color choices feel very deliberate. The red could symbolize blood or danger, and the overall starkness lends it an almost clinical feel. Curator: It speaks to our own anxieties about unseen forces that impact our lives, something that still resonates today. Editor: Indeed. It's a masterclass in using form to evoke powerful emotional reactions.