[no title] 1998

Curator: Before us is an untitled work by John Beard. There is no date available. Editor: It’s interesting how soft and diffuse the edges are; the colors give a feeling of distance and ethereality. Curator: Indeed. Beard is known for works that often serve as meditations on colonialism and its lingering impact on cultural identity. What do you see here? Editor: Well, the texture looks almost woven. I'm curious about the material and production process. Are we looking at dye on textile or something else entirely? It feels very handmade. Curator: I would posit that the diffused shapes evoke a sense of displacement and obscured history, suggesting the erasure of indigenous narratives under colonial rule. Editor: Possibly, but I am thinking more about the labor required to create this surface. It reminds me of textiles used for trade and power. Curator: That's an interesting insight. I appreciate how your focus brings attention to the physicality and craft involved. Editor: And I see how your reading encourages us to consider the larger socio-political implications. Curator: Absolutely, it’s crucial to look at the intersection of the materiality and the historical context.