Judith 

Editor: Here we have "Judith" by Yoko d'Holbachie, rendered in acrylic paint. What strikes me most is the figure's blend of fragility and power. I’m curious, how do you interpret this fantastical portrait? Curator: It's fascinating how d'Holbachie engages with historical artistic tropes, specifically within the surrealist context. The title, “Judith”, immediately conjures associations with the biblical figure often depicted as a powerful woman beheading Holofernes. But what does it mean to depict her in such a surreal, almost defamiliarized way, covered with all these eyes? Editor: I see what you mean. She looks so passive; the image certainly subverts the traditional depiction of Judith's strength and decisive action. Is the sword a misleading reference, then? Curator: It prompts us to question traditional power dynamics, perhaps even critiquing how women's strength has historically been represented – or often misrepresented – in art and media. Her strength appears to be not one of aggressive action, but perhaps something else: adaptability or heightened perception suggested by all of her eyes. Are those qualities traditionally regarded as power? Who defines power, anyway? Editor: So, by presenting Judith in this unsettling, surreal form, the artist seems to be prompting us to reconsider our understanding of female power beyond those historical or mythological depictions. Curator: Exactly! This “Judith” disrupts the familiar narrative, opening up a space to contemplate the complexities and societal expectations surrounding the representation of women and what power means for them. It also allows space to explore anxieties and fantasies. How do cultural values intersect and impact on a figure such as this, placed in our world today? Editor: I never considered the politics of portraiture within surrealism this way! Seeing it now has certainly opened my own eyes. Curator: Mine, too! It reinforces the idea that art can challenge our perceptions, rewrite histories, and propose new narratives.