Dawn 1973 - 1975

Curator: Frances Richards, born in 1903, created this print called "Dawn." Editor: It has such a simple, almost childlike quality, yet the figure is undeniably powerful and serene. Curator: Richards’ work often explored themes of emergence and renewal, reflecting her own experience as a woman artist navigating the mid-20th century. Editor: I see how the lines of the figure echo the sun's rays, unifying the composition through repetition and the use of a limited palette. Curator: Absolutely. Consider too the social context: post-war Britain, with its burgeoning feminist movement and a renewed focus on spiritual and emotional healing. Editor: The way the figure's arms extend, almost mirroring the horizon, is striking. There's a clear visual dialogue being established between figure and landscape. Curator: Ultimately, Richards gives us a work about hope and resilience through a female lens. Editor: Indeed, a visual testament to the enduring power of simplicity and form.