The Little Drifter and the Big Freighter 1919

Editor: Arthur Lismer’s print, "The Little Drifter and the Big Freighter," created around 1919, depicts two ships battling turbulent waves. The larger ship looms ominously in the background. What’s striking is how the small boat bravely navigates the same treacherous waters. How do you interpret this work within its historical context? Curator: This piece resonates deeply when considered through the lens of post-World War I Canada. Lismer, deeply affected by his time as a war artist, captures a power dynamic here. The ‘big freighter’ could symbolize established power structures – governments, industries – while the 'little drifter' represents the individual or perhaps marginalized communities trying to navigate the world shaped by war. What do you make of the freighter's camouflage? Editor: I didn’t even think about that! The dazzle camouflage almost makes it look like the larger ship is trying to hide, despite its size and implied power. Curator: Exactly. It's about questioning established power, disrupting expectations, and looking critically at the impact of war beyond the battlefield. The composition emphasizes the tension, with the smaller boat taking center stage. Whose story is often left out in mainstream war narratives? Editor: It does force you to consider the experiences of those not traditionally at the forefront, like women, laborers, and colonial subjects. Their struggles during and after the war were immense. Curator: Precisely. And consider the environmental impact of these ships, polluting the very waters they traverse. It foreshadows the ecological damage we are now grappling with. Editor: So, the print speaks not just of war, but also social justice and ecological concerns that continue to be relevant? Curator: Indeed. It's a call to examine power structures, amplify marginalized voices, and acknowledge our shared responsibility for the environment. It definitely adds layers of understanding to the artwork.