Where the Bee Sucks 1991

Curator: Peter Randall-Page's sculpture, titled "Where the Bee Sucks," immediately strikes me with its dark, almost brooding presence. What's your initial impression? Editor: It feels primordial, like a cluster of volcanic rock. The material itself, that dark stone, speaks of geological time scales and intense pressure. Curator: The title, taken from Shakespeare, gives it a symbolic layer, connecting nature, the sweetness of life, and perhaps even a sense of fleeting beauty. I wonder if the artist is suggesting a parallel between the bee's work and the sculptor's. Editor: Interesting. The artist’s labor is undeniable. Consider the sheer amount of stone removed to create this form. It's a testament to human effort and the manipulation of natural resources. Curator: And the sphere motif recurs throughout Randall-Page’s work, a symbol of wholeness or the potential within a seed. Editor: Looking at the means of production and its cultural context really puts it in perspective. Curator: Indeed. This is a dense little work, in all senses. Editor: It gives pause for thought.