Study of Guitarists for Symbols 

Curator: Here we have "Study of Guitarists for Symbols" by Benny Andrews, a drawing characterized by its bold linearity and figurative subject matter. What catches your eye initially? Editor: That spindly, slightly mournful line work. It reminds me of a musical score, maybe something bluesy, stripped bare and aching. And the figures, there's a rawness to them. It’s as if Andrews has captured something essential. Curator: Andrews was deeply invested in social commentary and activism. His art frequently confronts issues of identity and marginalization within American society. How might that intersect with the representation of musicians in this piece? Editor: For me, that stark line work reads like the hardship, but also the soul that pours into making music. The standing figure looks more formal, less tangible and more symbolic maybe related to authority? Maybe, even that feeling of not being seen, only a vague, somewhat confrontational presence remains of him? Curator: It's interesting you point to the tension between formality and the feeling of not being seen. Music, of course, has historically provided both an escape and a platform for marginalized voices. The guitar itself often represents liberation, but this drawing offers more restraint, less elation, more study and less song, more a reference to the condition. Editor: Yes, these players they're not necessarily "performing". It's as if we've walked into their practice space, we're eavesdropping on a vulnerable, almost sacred, exchange with their instruments. Perhaps not even the intention of making something "beautiful", it's an inquiry into form. Curator: Andrews also often integrated collage elements into his paintings, adding layers of texture and reality. The absence of that here makes me think it offers the most pared back statement, raw like an unvarnished truth. Editor: I agree. What sticks with me is that economy of line. Each one seems deliberate, charged with a particular weight, not quite defining, not quite explaining. It’s an unfinished poem. Curator: Well said. An invitation into the rich visual poetry embedded within social narratives. Editor: Definitely something that makes one think about who is and is not allowed to play, perform, be seen.