Decoy 1971

Editor: Here we have Jasper Johns' "Decoy," from the Tate Collections. It's quite a striking image, almost overwhelming with its dense layering and use of black. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, it's a potent commentary on the nature of representation. Johns, working in the aftermath of Abstract Expressionism, challenges the idea of the artwork as a purely emotional outpouring. He incorporates everyday objects, like words and images, drawing attention to how meaning is constructed and circulated within a culture. How does that strike you? Editor: I hadn't considered the cultural aspect so directly. So it's less about personal feeling, and more about questioning how we, as a society, interpret things? Curator: Precisely. Johns uses familiar imagery to prompt us to consider the systems of meaning that shape our perceptions. It's not just about *what* is represented, but *how* it's presented and received. Editor: That really shifts my perspective. I'll definitely be thinking about that "how" when looking at other pieces now. Curator: And that's the power of art history—to equip us with the tools to critically engage with the visual world around us.