Pax Americana—Plague Series 1970

Curator: Looking at Mitchell Jamieson's "Pax Americana—Plague Series" from 1970, rendered in drawing, one immediately confronts themes of narrative, figuration, and historical reflection within the realm of realist art. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: The figures, suspended and bound, create a somber and unsettling atmosphere. The artist uses a detailed style. What elements jump out at you? Curator: As a materialist, my interest is drawn to how Jamieson employs the seemingly simple medium of drawing to depict such a visceral scene. What socio-political conditions afforded this kind of brutal and realist depiction? How might the very act of drawing, with its inherent limitations, contribute to the overall message? Think of the paper itself, its sourcing, and how that fits into the social framework. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the medium's constraints contributing to the work's power. I wonder if his access to the materials played a role in what he chose to depict and how? Curator: Precisely! And going further, we can speculate how the consumption of such images affects societal views of war and power. Was this readily available, or did distribution contribute further meaning to the piece? This series emerged during a time of immense social upheaval. Think about who consumes images like these, and why? How does Jamieson's realist style affect our understanding of that socio-political context? Editor: So it's not just *what* is depicted, but how it’s made, who sees it, and under what circumstances. That really opens up the work. Curator: Exactly. And the implications are vast, making us think about art's connection to power and social change. I learned a lot through our discussion. Editor: Thank you. Considering it in terms of production and consumption definitely gives me a fresh perspective.