Swim 2012

Editor: Here we have Arlene Shechet's porcelain sculpture "Swim." I’m struck by the fragmented, almost archaeological feel of it. What does this piece evoke for you? Curator: I see a potent commentary on idealized femininity. The cherubic figure, traditionally representing innocence, is literally drowning in a sea of domesticity – the ornate dish. Is this perhaps a critique of societal expectations placed on women? Editor: That's a powerful reading. I hadn't considered the domestic context so explicitly. Curator: Consider the broken edges, too. Does that symbolize the breaking down of those traditional molds? And the gilded element – is it adornment or a desperate attempt to hold it all together? Editor: It certainly gives me a lot to consider about the historical burdens placed on women. Curator: Indeed. Art invites these dialogues. We can then reflect on contemporary feminist issues. Editor: I learned a lot. It’s amazing how one artwork can open up so many avenues for exploring social narratives. Curator: Exactly. And that's where the power of art lies.