Ivory Black 

Curator: Here we have "Ivory Black," manufactured by Geo. Rowney & Co., a seemingly simple jar of pigment. It evokes such powerful emotional responses. Editor: Yes, it’s deceptively simple. The intensity of that black is striking. It looks simultaneously dense and fine. Curator: Consider Rowney's role in supplying artists for over two centuries. Their pigments shaped art history, reflecting industrial advancements and global trade. Editor: And "ivory black" itself raises questions. What is the legacy, and the ethics, of such a substance? What sacrifices were made to produce this color? Curator: It prompts us to think about materiality, labor, and the cultural value we assign to artistic tools. Editor: Right, and how those tools, in turn, have shaped visual narratives, reinforcing or challenging societal norms. I'm really grateful that we have a chance to reckon with this complexity. Curator: A single jar holding so much history.