Alignment 2021

Editor: Here we have Lanise Howard's "Alignment" from 2021, an acrylic painting featuring two figures. I'm struck by the strong use of light and shadow, and how the gazes seem to lead in different directions. How do you interpret this work? Curator: I see a deep engagement with themes of identity and connection. Notice how the two figures are intertwined, yet their gazes are independent, almost divergent. Does that visual cue make you think about cultural expectations placed on women, particularly women of color? Editor: I hadn't considered that directly, but now that you mention it, it seems deliberate. The bright, almost ethereal blue background contrasts with the weight of their shared space. Curator: Exactly. And the lotus leaves— traditionally, they symbolize purity, love, and rebirth, offering a layered commentary. Do you think these symbols serve to affirm or challenge traditional associations when juxtaposed with the subjects depicted? Editor: I think they're being challenged. The figures seem too grounded, too real, to fit neatly into a purely idealized space. There’s a tension there. Curator: Precisely. Howard masterfully uses visual language to spark a dialogue about the complexities of lived experience. It invites us to reflect on our own preconceptions, doesn’t it? Editor: Definitely. I came in thinking it was simply a beautiful portrait, but it’s clear now that it's making a much deeper statement about identity. Curator: It shows how artists use the weight of cultural memory carried by symbols to prompt insightful consideration of contemporary narratives. It leaves one to think how cultural weight influences self perception, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely, seeing it with that in mind really elevated my appreciation of the painting, I'll never look at portraits the same.