Figurehead c. 1937

Curator: What a striking image. I see an almost haunting quality to it, like a figure brought back from another time. Editor: I agree, there’s a strong sense of bygone days. What exactly are we looking at here? Curator: This is "Figurehead", a charcoal drawing, likely on paper, created around 1937 by Louis Plogsted. It's a representation of a ship's figurehead. Editor: The drawing possesses an almost sculptural solidity. You can feel the weight and presence of the carved wood. The female figure has such composure and I think also highlights societal gender roles in this time period, even onboard ships. Curator: Indeed, the artist captures the form beautifully. What’s fascinating is how figureheads became symbols of maritime identity, particularly during this period. Think about who and what they represented. Oftentimes, they honored powerful female figures and it makes one question whether it was about patriarchal dominance or female empowerment. Editor: Precisely, it served as a symbolic gesture reflecting power structures of maritime history and their reflection on gender, but in a subversive way. As this one’s based on an actual object, where do such pieces sit in relation to their referents? Curator: Good question. Artworks such as "Figurehead" become mediators of our collective maritime history, carrying historical, aesthetic, and symbolic importance of an object that served a practical and, for many at sea, a spiritual role. It invites us to consider the legacy of colonialism, trade, and the countless human stories carried across oceans. Editor: It brings history to life, but filtered through the lens of the artist. Art offers us such vital access to these social histories. I am very grateful for your contribution! Curator: It was my pleasure. Exploring this piece allowed me to revisit important sociopolitical questions related to maritime traditions and artistic representations.