"We Saw Him" 1996

Editor: This is "We Saw Him" by Maria Bozoky, painted in 1996, using acrylic on canvas and watercolor. It definitely has a raw, emotional feel... kind of dreamlike and unsettling. The figures are almost melting into each other. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Melting, you say? That's a delicious way to put it. I'm instantly drawn into the intimate huddle of those central figures – locked in some whispered exchange or a shared vision, maybe. But it's the isolated figure, bathed in a feverish red on the periphery, that really grabs me. Is it a warning, a memory, or a Greek chorus commenting on the central drama? Editor: I hadn't really noticed that background figure so much. A Greek chorus, huh? Do you think that was Bozoky’s intention, some kind of historical reference? Curator: Intention is a tricky word, isn't it? Maybe "inclination" is softer. Those quick, gestural brushstrokes and vibrant, almost clashing colors smack of Expressionism, where inner emotional realities are splashed onto the canvas. Whether she consciously thought "Chorus!" I doubt it, but that feeling of bearing witness, of dramatic tension, is definitely there for me. What's your feeling on the narrative – the 'story', such as it is? Editor: Hmmm... narrative. I see figures, maybe a moment of revelation or disbelief given the title. The background figure seems separated, maybe emphasizing a division in belief? It makes me wonder about her personal story at the time. Curator: Exactly. We’re all shaped by the currents swirling around us – personal earthquakes, social tsunamis, or maybe just the quiet murmur of everyday life. Thanks, that helps me see things more clearly! Editor: Same here. That helps tie together the emotion, the figures, and the technique. It's more cohesive for me now!