Goddess Bast 

Curator: This playful piece is called "Goddess Bast," an acrylic painting by Yoko d'Holbachie. Editor: Wow, she’s fabulous. There’s such an innocent, gentle quality despite the, shall we say, unusual anatomy? It's as if a dream took a form and became slightly self-aware. Curator: D'Holbachie works primarily in acrylics, creating these wonderfully textured surfaces. The craftsmanship here really highlights how art-making relies on specific processes and materials, not just inspiration. What do you make of this collision of "high art" and seemingly craft-based aesthetic? Editor: It feels…refreshing, like a portal into another, sweeter dimension. I appreciate the skill in layering all those little details – beads and polka dots and floral flourishes that manage not to become overwhelming. It's a carefully constructed world. It reminds me a bit of the set design in those surreal Czech animated films. Curator: And it also brings into the discussion how artists utilize material culture to construct alternative realities. The caricature aspect almost references folk art traditions but within this strange, surrealist landscape. It invites us to rethink what is considered ‘art.’ Editor: Absolutely, but it also plays with kitsch. The abundance of decorative elements could almost be dismissed as twee if it weren't executed with such conviction and whimsy. Do you think the artist had a pre-set meaning in mind here? Curator: Artists often engage in world-building, so maybe not a prescriptive meaning, but certainly an invitation to interpret her constructed world. It questions conventional standards in painting and drawing while engaging critically with historical materials and popular cultural sources. Editor: I can see that, definitely. Well, however it was built, this “Goddess Bast” is just waiting to invite everyone to join her party. Curator: Exactly. It pushes the boundaries while using everyday materials and practices, raising critical questions of what "high art" really means today.