Mirror 2002

Curator: This is Jennifer Bartlett’s "Mirror," created in 2002. It’s a mixed-media work incorporating painting, specifically acrylic paint. Editor: It certainly catches the eye. It almost shimmers, doesn't it? Like refracted light or broken glass. The non-traditional, almost fragmented shape is intriguing. Curator: The fragmentation is interesting to me as well, it has an undeniable modern feel. Look at the repeated use of the dot motif, which acts as a bridge across the different geometric sections of the painting. I'm curious, do you think it evokes its title? Editor: I see what you mean with the repeated dots, yes. And does it feel like a mirror? That’s complicated. In a literal sense, no. But perhaps as a reflection of internal landscapes, fragmented memories or distorted perspectives, absolutely. I mean, the mirror as a cultural object and a psychological symbol has always pointed towards much deeper and disturbing ideas, hasn't it? Curator: Exactly. Bartlett’s earlier work explored systems of representation and challenged traditional painting. Perhaps with "Mirror" from 2002, she's examining how fragmented identity is refracted by different social and cultural prisms? We see a shift to this post-modern aesthetic with this biomorphic and geometric interplay. Editor: Postmodernism definitely resonates in the breaking apart of a familiar form, the pushing of a concept of a traditional picture into component segments. In many respects, Bartlett allows a dialogue about our social reflection. How public expectation shapes a splintered vision of selfhood and society. Curator: Right. And there is the enduring fascination with pattern making throughout different movements, from impressionism to photorealism. We see how repetition anchors the familiar image as part of modern identity construction. Editor: Ultimately, the strength of this piece lies in how it prompts questions. It destabilizes our perceptions of both abstraction and reality. Curator: Indeed. “Mirror” offers a compelling statement on our complicated relationship with the reflected image. Editor: A fitting piece for Bartlett’s continuing interest in representation and perspective. Thank you for sharing your interpretation with me!