One of the Lads c. 1972 - 1983

Editor: This is Barry Flanagan’s etching, "One of the Lads." It has an intimate, almost nostalgic feel. What's your reading of this piece? Curator: Barry Flanagan's work often has this playful, self-aware quality. The title suggests camaraderie, but the solitary figure drinking hints at something more complex. The scrawled text adds a layer of memory, wouldn't you say? Editor: I do, but how does that tie into the rest of the composition? Curator: Well, maybe he’s toasting to the past, or perhaps lamenting its loss with a melancholic swig. It reminds me that we are all just lads, looking for connection, and maybe also a bit of solace. Editor: I never considered the "solace" aspect, but it adds a whole new dimension to it for me. Curator: Art is like that; it gives us a glimpse into ourselves.