Sonjuschka No. 3 2015

Editor: We're looking at "Sonjuschka No. 3," a 2015 drawing by Gazmend Freitag, rendered in charcoal and pencil. There’s a rawness to the sketch that I find really compelling. How do you interpret this work? Curator: What strikes me is the accessibility the artist creates by using such traditional media. The nude has a long, loaded history, particularly within institutional settings, but this feels immediate, almost like a preparatory study. How does the choice of medium affect your perception of the work's intent and its potential reception by the public? Editor: It definitely feels less imposing, maybe even more personal than, say, a classical painting of a nude. Almost like a private moment captured. Does the “No. 3” in the title imply a series? And how might that seriality impact the way we understand this particular drawing in relation to the artist's broader practice and its public display? Curator: Precisely! Knowing it’s part of a series shapes our understanding. It positions it within a larger narrative, prompting questions about Freitag’s sustained engagement with the subject, his evolving technique, and the social and political context surrounding representations of the female body today. The artist's other pieces become relevant when discussing this nude. Do you see the use of charcoal or pencil as challenging conventional beauty standards often perpetuated by museum collections? Editor: Absolutely. It feels like Freitag is trying to portray a raw, unidealized image of the body. Thinking about the power dynamics in art history, do you think contemporary portrayals of nudes in art spaces open up a possibility to re-evaluate past, more restrictive representations? Curator: I think so, by embracing more diversity in how we depict the body in museums, artists invite viewers to challenge traditional notions of beauty and artistic skill, encouraging more inclusive dialogue and reflection. It encourages the public to consider the museum's own role. What did you think of that dialogue? Editor: I appreciate the piece much more now! Learning about how the drawing style and medium challenge tradition opens a valuable space to think critically.