Samantha 1972

Curator: We're looking at Barry Flanagan's print, "Samantha." It's a very simple etching, it seems, of a young girl eating. Editor: Yes, it feels very immediate and domestic. The sketchy lines give a sense of the everyday, maybe even the mundane aspects of childhood. What do you see in it? Curator: The disembodied floating mouth in the upper corner… that's interesting, almost like a thought bubble. Is it Samantha's anticipation of the next bite, or perhaps the artist's own suppressed desire? Editor: I see it more in terms of technique. Notice how Flanagan's etched line varies in weight. It’s almost like he’s mapping the surface of her face and clothing through pressure and mark-making. It’s less about symbolism and more about process. Curator: I disagree somewhat. There is a sense of vulnerability captured in the image. Samantha's gaze, her slightly open mouth... it evokes a sense of innocence, perhaps tinged with the anxieties of being observed. Editor: Well, it's a compelling demonstration of how line can both describe and evoke. Curator: Exactly, and I feel like it brings forth a sense of nostalgia for childhood.