The Three Graces 2017

Editor: Here we have Terri Kelly Moyers's "The Three Graces," painted in 2017, using oil paint. The women, their shawls, the fans – it all feels very staged, and yet...intimate? How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's tempting to view this through a classical lens, referencing the mythological Graces who embodied charm, beauty, and creativity. But placing it in our contemporary context raises questions about representation and idealization. Who gets to be a Grace? What does it mean to embody those ideals today? Editor: So, it's not just about aesthetic beauty? Curator: Not at all. The artist is engaging in a dialogue with art history. She uses recognizable visual cues to make us think about shifting cultural values. Notice the subtle power dynamics between the figures – are they presented as equals or are some foregrounded, others pushed to the margins? This kind of positioning relates to how women were and are represented in art and society. What are your thoughts on the flowers, versus the figures? Editor: The geraniums seem to overflow, a more natural beauty perhaps, and yet cultivated as well? So is the artist critiquing the ‘cultivation’ of femininity and its performance? Curator: Precisely. The layered textures, from the lace to the tassels, invite consideration of the intricacies of femininity, and perhaps its constructed nature. By prompting this thought, Moyers gives visibility to identities. Editor: I see now how it prompts a much broader social dialogue. I appreciate you pointing that out. Curator: And I appreciate your insight in relating art to cultivation! These conversations are vital for engaging with contemporary art.