Untitled 1971

Editor: Here we have Garth Evans's Untitled work, held at the Tate. It's made up of rectangular forms, almost like a deconstructed box. What strikes me is the texture – it looks like the surface is almost crumbling. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see an emphasis on the process of its making. The repetitive forms, the texture you noted, all suggest a deliberate engagement with materials, perhaps cheap ones. How does the artist challenge traditional notions of high art versus the labor of craft? Editor: So, the very act of choosing such humble materials elevates the ordinary? Curator: Precisely. Think about how its production might reflect or critique societal norms around value and consumption. That tension is key here. Editor: This really changes how I see it. I'll definitely be thinking more about materiality now. Curator: Indeed, materiality is central to understanding much contemporary art.