A Way to the Other Side 2019

Editor: This painting is titled "A Way to the Other Side" by Jana Brike, made in 2019 using acrylic on canvas. It strikes me as whimsical, with these two figures and the fawns in a dreamlike field of flowers. What’s your interpretation of this piece, especially considering its contemporary context? Curator: The whimsical nature of the painting is definitely there, but I see it within a broader context of how contemporary artists are engaging with mythology and folklore. Consider the institutional structures that have historically marginalized certain narratives, particularly those centered around female experiences and perspectives. How might Brike be subverting traditional power structures through this imagery? Editor: That’s interesting. The two girls, the fawns...are you suggesting they are a reclamation of some kind? Curator: Precisely. Think about the visual language. The lush, fertile landscape could be interpreted as a re-imagining of a feminine ideal that challenges the historical representation of women. What role might this play in broader contemporary art conversations? Editor: So, not just a pretty picture, but a comment on how women are depicted, and who controls that depiction? The butterflies escaping the net, for example, might represent liberation from traditional constraints? Curator: Exactly. Consider the absence of traditional patriarchal figures and institutions. The figures are self-possessed, existing in a world they seem to have created. How might audiences of different backgrounds interpret the piece? What impact would showcasing it in a major museum have? Editor: I hadn't considered the role of the institution so directly. Seeing it as a conversation about power, and who gets to define beauty and narrative, changes everything. Curator: It highlights the importance of questioning whose stories get told and how art institutions play a role in shaping those narratives. Editor: Definitely. This has opened my eyes to a more complex understanding of the work. Curator: And that's precisely the point. It’s about looking beyond the surface.