Dragon Morning 1990

Editor: This is Maggi Hambling's "Dragon Morning," undated, held at the Tate. The loose washes of color, combined with the stark black ink, feel very dynamic. What's your take on this piece? Curator: I find it interesting to consider Hambling’s process and materials. The evident use of fluid mediums like ink and watercolor suggests a rapid execution. How does the spontaneity of the medium influence your understanding of the subject matter, the dragon? Editor: I think it makes it feel more alive, like it’s breathing and moving. Curator: Exactly. Considering Hambling's wider practice, it is not surprising. This fluidity could symbolize the constant flux of both life and art-making itself. Does that interpretation shift your perspective at all? Editor: It does! It makes me think about how the materials themselves are telling a story. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Thinking about material agency definitely opens up new avenues for interpretation.