Elephant 1997

Curator: Here we have Lisa Milroy's painting, quite simply titled "Elephant." Editor: What strikes me immediately is how the painting evokes a sense of gentle monumentality, its rough brushstrokes contributing to this. Curator: Indeed. And it's interesting to think about the symbolism of the elephant—a creature often associated with wisdom, memory, and power, yet increasingly vulnerable in our world. Editor: Note how Milroy uses simplified forms and bold outlines. The palette, largely subdued, draws attention to the subject’s mass. Curator: It is a reminder of colonial history and the ongoing struggles for wildlife conservation in postcolonial landscapes. Editor: For me, the painting's strength lies in its ability to convey a sense of the essential "elephant-ness," without resorting to photorealism. Curator: Absolutely. It's a potent image that carries so much historical weight, even in its simplicity.