Pray 2018

Editor: We're looking at "Pray" by Kexin Di, created in 2018. It's an oil painting of a woman in what seems to be a state of reverence. The painting’s simplicity and soft light create a very peaceful mood, wouldn't you agree? How do you interpret this work? Curator: Absolutely, there's a deliberate classicism to this piece that connects it to centuries of devotional imagery. I think what’s compelling is the way Di is engaging with a loaded history. How does the context of contemporary art influence our reading of such a traditional pose? Editor: That’s interesting, so you're thinking about how prayer is depicted throughout art history and what this might mean today? Curator: Exactly! The pose, the lighting – they echo Renaissance and Baroque religious paintings, often depicting saints. Di is playing with that visual language. But instead of a saint, we see a woman with a quiet intensity. What do you think about that juxtaposition, in terms of how women are portrayed, particularly within the arts and religious settings? Editor: I see what you mean. It's like the artist is reclaiming that imagery, maybe giving voice to a personal, more internal form of devotion. Less performative religion, and more personal reflection. Curator: Precisely! It also speaks to the institutional framework of art. Who gets canonized, and how are those images perpetuated through museums and galleries? Di is subtly intervening in that narrative, which challenges viewers' expectations and invites them to reconsider these power structures and representations. Editor: So it's not just about the individual’s prayer but a larger conversation about history, representation, and power in the art world. This has given me so much food for thought. Curator: And for me too. This image challenges viewers to be mindful about art's visual heritage, urging one to question how that heritage shapes our perceptions today.