5. The Mouse 1978 - 1979

Curator: Graham Sutherland's print, "5. The Mouse," immediately strikes me as whimsical, yet tinged with a peculiar unease. Editor: Indeed. The soft, almost sepia tones and the meticulous linework contribute to that feeling. I am curious about the materials used in its production. Curator: The composition, with the mouse positioned before the cross and stylized sun, suggests a deliberate symbolism. The mouse takes on a significance larger than its size, imbued with a quasi-religious air. Editor: Perhaps. Or maybe it's about the artist's labor – the countless hours spent etching such intricate details, elevating the mundane to the extraordinary. Curator: The juxtaposition is thought-provoking. Sutherland manipulates scale and form to create a narrative that is both familiar and strange. The cross dominates the composition, yet the mouse commands our attention. Editor: I see it as an exploration of value. What do we consider important, and what is deemed insignificant? Sutherland transforms the materials, making us reconsider our perceptions. Curator: I find this work to be a testament to Sutherland's mastery of form. Editor: And I am reminded that art redefines the beauty of craft itself.