Mulan 

Editor: Here we have Fernanda Suarez's "Mulan," a portrait created with acrylics, it appears. It's very striking – she looks both strong and vulnerable. What's your take on this piece? Curator: Well, looking at "Mulan" through a historical lens, it’s interesting to see how the artist plays with contemporary representations of historical or mythical figures. Suarez presents us with a modernized version, a reimagining for today’s audience. Notice the stylistic choices; the contemporary clothing mixed with elements alluding to Mulan's Chinese heritage – the dragon motif on the shirt. It addresses questions of cultural appropriation and how different generations connect with historical narratives. How does that modern interpretation strike you? Editor: I think it makes the character feel more real, more relatable. It's like saying these stories are still relevant. Curator: Precisely! It’s about cultural preservation but also about renegotiating identity. It prompts a conversation about how we construct our understanding of the past and integrate it into the present. It's a conversation about the public role that art can play in reinterpreting powerful cultural figures. How do visual choices—clothing, accessories—influence how you relate to the subject? Editor: It definitely humanizes her. It makes her less of a distant legend and more of a… person. Curator: And that’s a key move on Suarez's part. She is actively challenging the traditional imagery associated with Mulan, and therefore what we associate with the role of woman and heroism. It really highlights how artists use established visual languages and rework them in meaningful ways. It challenges the politics of imagery itself, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely! It's much more layered than I initially thought. Thanks for that! Curator: My pleasure. Thinking about it in terms of the politics of imagery, it definitely gave me a new perspective.