Wilde VI 1998

Editor: Right, so next up we have "Wilde VI," created by Melissa Meyer in 1998, using acrylic paint. I’m immediately struck by the strong contrast, these stark black shapes against this very whimsical blue… it’s kind of playful, but also feels very grounded. What jumps out at you when you look at this piece? Curator: You know, I'm glad you picked up on that tension. It’s not quite a head-on collision, more like a…flirty argument between chaos and order, don’t you think? The blacks are bold, sure, anchoring themselves, but they don't quite dominate. There’s a dance happening with that periwinkle blue. What do you make of those sweeping lines? They remind me of calligraphy, almost. Like Meyer is writing with color. Editor: That's interesting! Calligraphy… I hadn't thought about that. I was so focused on the abstract shapes, I didn’t really see that potential movement and rhythm you mentioned. It almost looks like she's doodling in a really sophisticated way. Curator: Exactly! It's controlled spontaneity. Meyer gives us this almost pop-art boldness while also hinting at something deeply personal, almost confessional. A visual journal entry perhaps, but instead of words, she lets color and shape spill out. It feels intensely *her*, don't you think? Makes you wonder what she was thinking, what she was feeling that day in '98. I wonder...do those blue shapes remind you of anything in particular? Editor: I see them as dancing or weaving! But after what you just said, I wonder what was happening in the world around 1998 that she was reacting to. Curator: Oh! And *that* is how art can take us further in the meaning-making process. Editor: So much more to discover now! Thank you! Curator: The pleasure was all mine, keep those beautiful thoughts brewing!