Wild Cat 1970

Curator: Here we have Dame Elisabeth Frink’s *Wild Cat*, part of the Tate collection. It's rendered as an image of about 50 by 60 centimeters. Editor: It feels quite vulnerable, despite its name. The washes of color are so delicate, almost tentative. Curator: Frink often explored themes of power and vulnerability in her work, particularly in relation to animals. This piece perhaps hints at the precarious balance between domestication and inherent wildness. Editor: Absolutely. The stark white background and minimal lines really emphasize the cat's physical form. I’m struck by the way the watercolor pools in certain areas, creating texture and depth, but then fades away to almost nothing. Curator: It's interesting to consider how Frink's sculptures, known for their rough surfaces and powerful presence, relate to these more ephemeral works on paper. Her interest in materiality clearly translates across mediums. Editor: Yes, thinking about her process, how she built up form, even in a drawing, makes you appreciate the animal's presence. Curator: Ultimately, it invites reflection on how we project meaning onto animals, and perhaps onto each other. Editor: I see a lot of care and attention given to this rendering.