Studies of Pigs 

Curator: Here we have James Ward's "Studies of Pigs," executed in pencil on toned paper. What's your first reaction? Editor: I find it unexpectedly tender. There's a vulnerability to these sketches, particularly in the relaxed poses of the pigs, and their soft rendering. They seem utterly unselfconscious. Curator: Precisely. The light pencil work captures a fleeting observation, an intimacy not often associated with livestock. Note how Ward utilizes the toned paper. This grounds the lighter pencil strokes and allows for subtle variations in shading. Semiotically, the paper itself operates as a middle ground, facilitating tonal contrasts without aggressive demarcations. Editor: The pig as a symbol has such complex, layered meanings across cultures – from abundance and prosperity to gluttony and impurity. It is interesting to observe Ward bypasses all loaded symbology by opting to observe, unflinchingly, at these common farm animals. Curator: Indeed, and the composition itself adds to this effect. The multiple studies, overlapping and varying in size, suggest a continuous process of observation and refinement. Rather than aiming for a single, polished portrayal, Ward seems to embrace the iterative nature of sketching. Editor: And it also subverts the idea of portraiture itself. Typically, a portrait is an idealized representation. Here, however, it’s an authentic depiction of something otherwise typically overlooked. There’s a democratization of subject matter at play, wouldn't you agree? Curator: I concur. By focusing on the pigs' forms and gestures, without resorting to symbolism, Ward compels us to reconsider the intrinsic beauty of the mundane. This drawing beautifully displays simple lines and nuanced textures achieved by such delicate pencil strokes, rendering the form palpable. Editor: Looking at it now, I am really charmed by the quotidian, seemingly unremarkable moment captured by Ward's hand in such subtle and gentle pencil work. Curator: A masterful convergence of material, method, and unpretentious intention, resulting in surprising emotive force.