5 of 7 etchings in Porfolio: White Mammals 1998

Editor: This is Kiki Smith's etching, "5 of 7 etchings in Portfolio: White Mammals," from an unknown date. The delicate lines forming the squirrel's image give it such a fragile appearance. What do you see in this work, thinking about its role within a broader historical and cultural context? Curator: The image appears vulnerable, even abject. Smith often focuses on the body and its functions, challenging traditional representations. This image could be interpreted as a commentary on the societal treatment of animals, particularly small mammals, and how we often disregard their lives. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. So, its impact is less about the individual squirrel and more about what it represents within our culture? Curator: Exactly. Smith's work often invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in how we perceive and treat other beings. The political impact of such imagery should not be ignored. Editor: This helps me to view the artwork differently now, thank you. Curator: My pleasure.