Seated Balinese Figure Seen from Behind 

Curator: What a graceful sketch. "Seated Balinese Figure Seen from Behind," by Maurice Sterne. Notice the use of simple pencil lines to capture such a sense of serenity. Editor: It strikes me as immediate and intimate, almost voyeuristic. It's a nude figure, yes, but there's no sexualization—just quiet observation. I’m curious, what's known about Sterne's time in Bali? Curator: Well, we know Sterne traveled extensively, absorbing influences from different cultures, and Bali clearly had an impact. His notes alongside other works from Bali display interest in the figure's movement and construction within his two-dimensional art practice. Editor: It’s fascinating to think about how Balinese culture, the artist's background, and then the gallery or collector through whose hands the piece has passed shaped not just the artwork but also our modern reception. Were there local artistic influences present to inform its design? Curator: Absolutely, and it’s through his process that we see this exchange play out. Note how the strokes convey the material culture of Bali through the cloth and the figure, while his labor and skill created an economy with the culture in his works. Editor: The pencil, its graphite core, and the paper itself... all are industrially produced objects—what implications arise here, knowing that this image and subject only meet through global trade, both of manufactured items and flesh itself? Curator: Good question! This speaks to the heart of how we engage with artworks created across cultures and time periods. The ethics of such encounters need careful thought, given the power dynamics inherent to travel and cultural appropriation. Editor: Indeed. This piece invites not just appreciation of form, but a broader reflection on the complex relationships between artist, subject, and audience. It’s a portal to multiple narratives. Curator: I agree. It showcases how art can subtly capture both the seen and the unseen forces at play in our world. A humble pencil sketch holding so much to contemplate.