Horse’s Head 1970

Editor: This is Dame Elisabeth Frink's "Horse's Head," held in the Tate Collections. It's a monochromatic image, almost ghostly. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Frink's horses often reflect post-war anxieties. Consider the Cold War context: her powerful, yet vulnerable, animal forms resonate with societal fears and the ever-present threat of conflict. How might the public interpret such imagery? Editor: So, it's not just a horse; it's a symbol of broader social tensions? Curator: Exactly. The stark presentation, the absence of color, reinforces a sense of unease, inviting viewers to confront difficult realities reflected in the art world at the time. Editor: I see it now. Thanks. It’s more than just a portrait; it is a cultural statement.