SunBlock 

Curator: Welcome. Here we see Edith Vonnegut's painting, "SunBlock." Editor: The title hints at a tension, doesn't it? There's something simultaneously protective and menacing in the way that the large, almost cartoonish figure is interacting with the radiant sun and smaller figure. The color palette, those peaches and yellows, give it a strange feeling of warmth and discomfort all at once. Curator: Indeed. Though not definitively dated, Vonnegut’s style blends surrealist tendencies with portraiture. She frequently includes nude figures, often re-imagining classical themes with a decidedly contemporary lens. Consider how public displays of nudes operate—they are often tied to colonial enterprises, for instance, as a justification for seizing resources from those deemed “less civilized.” Editor: That's exactly what comes to my mind, the historical baggage that’s so closely tied to such representations. The positioning feels significant; the larger figure, perhaps representing motherhood or some kind of guardianship, kneels protectively, attempting to shield the smaller figure from the sun’s rays. But what exactly is she guarding against? Curator: That’s the question, isn’t it? I find myself drawn to the surrealist influence here, and her apparent challenge to art history’s fascination with idealized feminine forms. While the poses and coloration are not unattractive, there's a distortion, perhaps intentional, that keeps this out of the traditional realm of beauty and femininity. Editor: Right, this isn't some passive Venus. There is definitely an odd tension between safety and an implied threat, almost as though nature itself, symbolized by that enormous sun, is an active force against which they are desperately trying to defend. The almost aggressive way she's placed her arm creates a sense of forced protection, making it even more striking. I suppose we must consider the era in which it was produced, which might allow viewers to contextualize it, as an intersectional narrative that engages art history, feminist theory and the prevailing socio-political attitudes of the time. Curator: Perhaps "SunBlock" prompts us to contemplate the complex layers of protection, gender roles, and how we engage with our surrounding environment—both natural and social. Editor: Yes, Vonnegut has given us much to consider. This image lingers in the mind long after you’ve walked away from it.