Claws in Claw 1941

Curator: This gouache and painting, created in 1941, is titled “Claws in Claw” and attributed to the collective known as Kukryniksy. First impressions? Editor: Dark humor, a chillingly blunt message… but in cartoon style. There's something unsettling about the combination. Curator: Absolutely. These Soviet artists wielded caricature as a weapon during World War II, and the imagery here is particularly striking. Look at how they depict Hitler—a puppet about to be crushed. Editor: It is hard not to view this caricature within the historical framework of the Second World War and Stalinism and recognize it as a politically charged piece. The oversized hand wielding those imposing red pliers – complete with the Soviet star, squeezing documents of Nazi plans for Moscow – it is about so much more than Hitler. It's a powerful assertion of Soviet strength. Curator: Yes, there's a raw energy in their depiction. They’ve stripped away any pretense, delivering a very clear message of imminent defeat and absolute control. The darkness and gouache feels particularly heavy to me; and that cartoon style is the only way for this depiction to work. Editor: And it’s the idea of "claws in claw" – power structures within other power structures—using socialist realist and caricaturist conventions. We might interpret it as commentary on war, domination and totalitarian control more generally. Consider the historical context in which Kukryniksy worked. The caricaturists contributed to shaping anti-fascist sentiment… Curator: …while also reinforcing the political ideologies of their time, blurring those lines with sharp, satirical strokes. The use of gouache in Soviet anti-fascist caricatures allowed them to depict the harsh realities and political messages clearly. Editor: And thinking of today, it feels very pertinent in an age when it is becoming increasingly apparent just how many global political actors play dangerous games, all to gain more power. A warning about power and how it functions, even a critique of sorts... Curator: Indeed. This painting remains an incredibly evocative piece of war-time art, with Kukryniksy showing what caricature is capable of achieving beyond simple mockery. Editor: Absolutely. A reminder that images have the power to be both weapon and mirror.