Meditation 

Editor: Right, let's talk about Jiménez Deredia’s bronze sculpture, “Meditation”. There’s no date, which makes it a little mysterious, but the sheer bulk of this seated figure resting on what looks like a textured sphere gives me a real sense of grounding, of weight. What draws you in when you look at this piece? Curator: Oh, that grounded feeling resonates with me too! It reminds me of those moments when you just need to curl up with a good book or, maybe a very large, very still thought. For me, the artist's simplification of form is quite compelling, a step away from precise representation towards universal ideas about contemplation and introspection. It’s modern, sure, but it has that ancient monument vibe as well. Makes me wonder what exactly she’s thinking about… a secret perhaps. Editor: A secret, I like that! I initially thought of it being quite personal and inward-looking. It’s funny, because with the sort of hood-like shape around her head, I get a slightly futuristic feeling too. Is that totally off? Curator: Not at all. That blending of timeless serenity and a possible glimpse into the future is exactly the magic! It hints at the figure as a sort of time traveler, holding onto wisdom gleaned from ages past and future to come, resting, in that single moment. I wonder though…what do you think of the surface of the sphere, with that tactile quality versus the smooth surface of the figure? Editor: It gives her something solid, rough, and very present to cling to, making that idea of being present in a timeless meditation more accessible to me, I suppose! A comforting solidity to all the unknown vastness she represents, maybe? Curator: Precisely. Editor: I never would have picked that up! It is almost as if there's a counterpoint set up between the smooth and the textured. Curator: Glad we unpacked that together. There’s so much depth in a seemingly simple sculpture. Editor: Yeah, thanks for sharing your insight!