The Reformation 2022

Editor: So, this is "The Reformation" by Lanise Howard, painted in 2022 using acrylic on canvas. I’m really drawn to how the figures are set against this seemingly vast, open landscape. It's almost dreamlike. What stands out to you about it? Curator: From a materialist perspective, the title "The Reformation" is a direct pointer to shifting social and material conditions. Consider the women's athletic wear: mass-produced, affordable fabrics and footwear – readily available commodities. Are they consumers of this culture? Producers? The tension between their individual identities and their conforming white attire reveals a critical commentary on both capitalism and group dynamics. Editor: That’s an interesting point. I hadn't thought about the clothing in terms of production. Does the landscape itself play a role in your interpretation? Curator: Absolutely. What materials were used to produce the pigment and canvas, and what were the historical uses of those materials? Furthermore, notice the seemingly untouched landscape contrasted with their outfits, hinting at a deeper societal engagement with the earth's resources. Is the artist proposing that the relationship between marginalized women and landscape, especially as commodities, are interwoven? Editor: It’s a bit unsettling to think about landscape as a commodity but, with this painting, that perspective does feel potent. Thanks, I will never see it the same way again. Curator: Exactly! I think we've just cracked the surface regarding the dynamic exchange and interplay between human elements and our resources in the artwork.