Sheep May Safely Graze 2019

Curator: Here we have Terri Kelly Moyers’ “Sheep May Safely Graze,” painted in 2019, rendered skillfully in oil on canvas. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: A palpable sense of stillness strikes me first. It's very calm. The muted tones and the way the figures blend into the landscape create a feeling of quiet harmony. Curator: That tranquility is fascinating, especially considering Moyers’ focus on Western genre scenes. Her work is very much involved with portraying rural scenes as timeless and untouched. In truth, these landscapes are heavily mediated spaces both in art and reality. Editor: And the shepherdess atop the pale horse. Horses, of course, hold complex symbolism. The mount can signify power, strength, and freedom, but its pallor… That stark white also speaks of purity, of spiritual connection. The woman becomes almost angelic, set against that rugged landscape. Curator: Precisely. The artist utilizes and romanticizes such imagery. This consciously contrasts with the complicated historical realities of land rights, and cultural displacement. Editor: I agree, though it’s more layered than pure romanticism. Notice the almost stoic expression of the rider? The symbols are carefully deployed, offering a dignified representation rather than blatant idealization. The Navajo- Churro sheep add an additional cultural reference to traditional weaving. It subtly honors resilience and adaptation within this context. Curator: Good point. Her paintings sell an idealized narrative but there’s also undeniable skill in capturing light and form, contributing to its popularity and market value in galleries focused on Western art. One could ask to what extent her artistic output reflects and perhaps obscures socioeconomic realities for many indigenous groups today. Editor: So true. Looking at the clouds and that distant mesa… it conjures deep-seated imagery in me – freedom and boundlessness that can apply psychologically as well as culturally. Perhaps it speaks to some desire for an unfettered existence even today. Curator: Absolutely. While aesthetically pleasing, artworks such as this one also carry societal narratives around who gets to imagine and inhabit the West. Editor: A powerful interplay of imagery, inviting contemplation on culture and place. Thanks for this illuminating exchange! Curator: My pleasure! Examining contemporary iterations of classic narratives opens many doorways into a complex conversation.