Block Print c. 1936

This block print was made by George Loughridge in the 20th Century, and it is an intricate pattern of nature, animals, and humans. The monkeys in the trees might evoke a sense of playfulness, an allusion to the natural world, and also to exploration of 'exotic' lands. The indigenous man with a bow and arrow, is a loaded signifier of colonial encounters. Observe how the figure’s gaze directs our attention, inviting us to consider the narrative implied by his posture and attire. In many cultures, the bow and arrow represent power, skill, and survival. But here, they speak to a broader theme of cultural exchange and its inherent tensions. Think of similar figures found in tapestries, or travel journals. The pattern of this block print engages our collective memory, and subconscious feelings about exploration and encounters with new civilizations. What hidden narratives and unresolved cultural anxieties does it bring to the surface? The cyclical return of these motifs invites us to reflect on how cultural symbols are continually reinterpreted and reshaped.