Wendy/Mayla 1972

Curator: The portrait before us, titled "Wendy/Mayla" by Barry Flanagan, presents an intimate, almost vulnerable depiction of a woman, rendered simply in ink on paper. Editor: It feels immediate, like a snapshot, yet the sketchy lines lend it an unfinished, questioning quality. I wonder, what does this choice of medium say about society's view of women at the time? Curator: Flanagan, though known primarily for his sculptures, had a fascination with the everyday. Etchings like this allowed him to explore intimacy and identity outside the traditional art world. The title, giving two names, hints at the fluidity of identity. Editor: Absolutely. And consider the gaze—not directly confrontational, but slightly averted, perhaps reflecting the societal pressures and expectations placed on women in that era. It’s a powerful, subtle statement. Curator: The piece’s existence in the Tate underscores the increasing recognition of art's role in reflecting and shaping social narratives surrounding gender. Editor: It leaves me pondering the nuances of representation, and how art can subtly challenge prevailing norms. Curator: Indeed, it reveals the power dynamics inherent in the act of portraying another human being.