Stack Dragon 

Editor: Here we have Scott Gustafson's "Stack Dragon", likely created using colored pencil. What strikes me most is how endearing it is – this huge, mythical creature is depicted as a studious bookworm. How do you interpret the narrative elements at play here? Curator: I see a commentary on the social role of knowledge, or perhaps, access to knowledge. Dragons, often symbols of power and hoarding, are here associated with learning, but confined in a kind of visual prison created by the overwhelming amount of books. Notice how the light shines mainly on the books and barely illuminates the dragon himself. Could it be suggesting that knowledge, when accumulated and not shared, becomes another form of captivity? Is he a prisoner of his own erudition? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the darker implications, the idea of knowledge as a burden rather than enlightenment. Is the setting significant in conveying this message? Curator: Absolutely. The architecture fades into an indistinct background of never ending shelves of books. The soft rendering and subdued color palette lend a melancholic feel, enhancing this sense of isolation within knowledge. It makes me think about how institutions themselves shape our understanding and sometimes limit accessibility. Editor: So, beyond the whimsical surface, there is a much deeper discussion about the social role of knowledge? Curator: Precisely. And about how imagery can either perpetuate or subvert our understanding of power dynamics within systems. Editor: I'll definitely view the piece differently now. Thank you for revealing these layers of historical context! Curator: My pleasure. Art’s real power lies in inviting these conversations.