Goblin Lanterns 1906

Editor: This is "Goblin Lanterns" by Helen Hyde, made in 1906. It's an etching, a print on paper. There's a real spooky feeling here; it's like a scene from a childhood nightmare. What do you make of it? Curator: Spooky, indeed! It whispers of stories told in the dark, doesn't it? Look at how Hyde plays with light and shadow; the boy's lantern casting an uncertain glow against the menacing shapes of the "goblins." She captures the delicious thrill of being scared. Does the boy look frightened, or excited, do you think? Editor: I thought he looked terrified. It’s right there in his eyes. He's practically running for his life! Curator: Or perhaps running *into* the adventure? Remember, these goblin figures were popular motifs at the time. This work is heavily inspired by *Ukiyo-e*, so it’s possible they're friendly spirits, not monsters. Do you feel any sympathy for him, caught in the midst of them? Editor: Hmm, I hadn’t thought about it that way, maybe it’s more like he’s playing a game. He still looks very anxious! It’s amazing that the artwork can inspire a very different emotional reaction depending on context. Curator: Precisely! Hyde masterfully uses the traditional form to play with the push and pull between cultures –East meets West – inviting us to reflect on how we see the world, or in this case, how we are seen. It really captures the orientalism from back then. Do you see that? Editor: Yes, yes. This makes me really want to do a deep-dive on the artist herself! It really gets one thinking about cultural appropriation, doesn’t it? Curator: It most certainly does, a mirror reflecting both our history and ourselves. Let's venture forth to the next adventure...