Shift Open 1975 - 1977

Editor: This is David Leverett's "Shift Open." It’s undated and held at the Tate. The composition is compelling, horizontal bands in subtle greys. What do you make of its muted palette and almost obscured surface? Curator: The subdued tones invite us to consider the socio-political climate in which abstract art gained prominence. Was it a deliberate rejection of representational art that had been used for propaganda? Editor: Interesting. So, the lack of overt imagery is itself a statement? Curator: Precisely. The quietness of the work could be seen as a commentary on the overwhelming nature of visual culture at that time. The obscured surface, is it resisting easy consumption? Editor: I see. It prompts a deeper consideration beyond the aesthetic. Curator: Exactly. It illustrates how artistic choices often reflect broader cultural anxieties and aspirations. Editor: I'll remember that. Thanks.