Boar 1970

Curator: This is Dame Elisabeth Frink's "Boar", currently residing in the Tate Collections. The print measures 524 by 654 mm. Editor: Immediately, I notice a ghostly quality. The layering creates a sense of movement or unease, it's fascinating. Curator: Frink's treatment of form is compelling. The repetition, the shifting densities of tone, lend themselves to an exploration of mass and volume. Editor: Frink was producing such works during the Cold War, and one must wonder if these powerful animals become metaphors for strength, or even aggression, given the socio-political climate of the time. Curator: Indeed, however, I find the formal qualities alone create sufficient tension, regardless of external contextual factors. The composition focuses on the interplay between light and shadow. Editor: I concede that the stark contrast certainly adds to the drama, but I cannot divorce the image from its potential political readings. Curator: Ultimately, this work offers diverse readings depending on one's perspective. Editor: A fascinating piece to consider both for its formal beauty and its historical context.