Man and Horse II 1971

Curator: Dame Elisabeth Frink's "Man and Horse II," held in the Tate Collections, presents an intriguing study of form. Editor: It feels fragile, doesn’t it? The horse is almost ghost-like, just this impressionistic wash of reddish-brown, while the man is rendered with harsher, darker lines. Curator: Frink often explored themes of masculinity and power through her sculptures and prints. Here, we see that juxtaposition, that tension. Editor: I wonder if she was commenting on the relationship between humans and animals, the dominance and vulnerability inherent in that connection. It feels uneasy, this alliance. Curator: Frink’s work often reflects the anxieties of the post-war period. Perhaps this image is capturing a sense of lost innocence or a struggle for control. Editor: It certainly evokes that raw, unsettling feeling. It stays with you, doesn’t it? Curator: Absolutely. It's a compelling piece that invites contemplation on the complexities of human nature and our place in the world.