Shepherd with Lantern 1983

Curator: Colin Self’s drawing, “Shepherd with Lantern,” captivates with its stark contrast. What’s your initial take? Editor: It feels like a vision emerging from the subconscious. The light is both inviting and unsettling, the figure barely there. Like a half-formed memory. Curator: The lantern, traditionally a symbol of guidance and hope, is fascinating here. It casts light, but what does it reveal, really? Editor: Well, the shepherd is a classic archetype, the protector, the guide. But look at the way Self renders him—almost spectral, as if the act of leading is a burden, a lonely vigil. Curator: Indeed. The shepherd archetype carries an almost unbearable weight of responsibility. And Self captures that tension beautifully. Editor: A solitary figure against the dark. It makes me think about how light and dark define each other, and how sometimes, we only see what the light allows. It is a powerful statement. Curator: It definitely pulls you into the night. I'm glad we had this moment to reflect on Self’s vision. Editor: Me too. There's something hauntingly beautiful about wandering in the dark, and this drawing reminds us of that strange comfort.