Potato 1986

Editor: This is “Potato,” a painting by Piroska Szanto from 1986. I’m immediately struck by the contrast – on the one hand, we have this almost regal figure, and on the other, elements of what looks like… an escape plan? How do you interpret this work? Curator: Ah, “Potato,” yes! It’s delightful, isn’t it? You’re right about the contrasts. To me, it’s a humorous take on status and freedom. Look at the so-called potato figure: adorned in finery that suggests wealth and power, but the facial expression is…well, it's a potato's face, after all, passive, resigned. And then you've got the aeroplane, the ladder, and the figure with a key – all hinting at adventure, breaking free from expectation. The whole scene has a whimsical quality that belies a deeper question: what does freedom *really* mean? Do you think the artist is romanticizing this freedom or perhaps gently poking fun at our own aspirations? Editor: That’s a great point – the idea of freedom being gently mocked. I hadn’t considered that! I guess I was focused on the seemingly random imagery. It now seems a very witty perspective of status. What do you think the materials add? Curator: Well, you notice that the choice of materials—seemingly simple chalky pastels, yet vibrant and naive-- lend a certain unpretentious charm to the entire work, suggesting to me that the piece does not take itself too seriously. Did you expect something completely different at the very beginning, based on the colours used here? Editor: It seemed cartoonish but that actually reinforces the satirical side we've uncovered today. Thanks, this was a lot to unpack in one potato! Curator: Indeed! The layers within this single "Potato" offer nourishment for thought long after viewing.