The New World Order 1991

Curator: Sue Coe's print, titled "The New World Order," immediately strikes one with its oppressive mood. The stark contrast of black and white amplifies the unsettling imagery. Editor: Indeed. Coe, born in 1951, uses this potent visual language to critique power structures and social injustices. The work presents a dystopian vision, perhaps reflecting anxieties around globalization and militarization. Curator: The formal composition reinforces this. Note the dense layering of figures, each wearing a gas mask, surmounted by a swarm of fighter planes. The texture is almost suffocating. Editor: Precisely, the faceless crowd evokes themes of dehumanization and conformity under authoritarian rule, perhaps questioning the social costs of progress and security. The lone figure covering their face is a strong symbol of despair. Curator: The graphic quality, the high contrast and sharp lines, lend a sense of urgency, almost like a political cartoon. Editor: And, I think, the work still resonates today as we continue to grapple with issues of environmental degradation, political unrest, and the erosion of individual liberties. It's a bleak, but powerful, piece.