Mummy 

Curator: This fascinating piece, “Mummy,” manufactured by Charles Roberson and Co., presents a profound study in materiality. Editor: I'm immediately struck by the color's somber mood, a sort of melancholic brown that hints at mortality. Curator: Exactly. The very structure of the paint tubes, their textures and labels, speaks to a history of artistic production and consumption. Editor: And that pigment... made from actual mummies. It carries such weight, connecting us to ancient funerary rites and beliefs. Curator: Indeed, one may read these tubes as signifiers of the evolving relationship between art, history, and industry. Editor: It’s disturbing to think that a culture would grind up human remains for the sake of art. It also reminds me of the power of symbols, and how they can evoke such strong emotions across time. Curator: It’s a unique commentary on artistic creation. Editor: A reminder that the things we make resonate with their history, whether we intend them to or not.