Animal Head 1938

Editor: Here we have Richard Pousette-Dart's "Animal Head," painted in 1938 using oil paint. It's an intriguing composition. The contrasting black, white, and green shapes definitely create a captivating, almost unsettling mood. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s interesting you mention the unsettling mood, as I find a sense of primeval symbolism here. The "animal head," abstracted as it is, becomes a vessel for deep-seated cultural memories of animal totems and spirit guides. Think about cave paintings, fertility figures—the symbolic weight of animals throughout human history. Do you see echoes of that here? Editor: I can see that now. The simplified shapes do evoke a more ancient, almost universal feel, like a symbol plucked from a much older context. What is the significance of his choice to call it animal "head"? Curator: By focusing on the 'head,' Pousette-Dart directs our attention to intellect, consciousness, and primal instinct. The circular forms might represent eyes or a kind of cognitive awareness, set against the darker, perhaps unconscious, background. What sort of animal do you think of? Editor: It almost looks bird-like in its structure with that head. It's really fascinating to see how these basic shapes and colors trigger so many associations. Curator: Exactly! And this is where the power of symbolism resides—its capacity to unlock deeply embedded associations within our collective consciousness, whether bird, spirit or something else! Editor: This piece definitely makes me think about how symbols work across time. It is really amazing to look at what connects our memory of ancient culture through symbols, so interesting!