[no title] 1988

Curator: This is an untitled work by Christopher Le Brun, currently held in the Tate Collections. It presents a cityscape in shades of red, grey and black. Editor: Stark. The overwhelming crimson creates a feeling of oppressive heat, with the dark verticals of the trees as punctuations, or perhaps prison bars. Curator: Observe how the brushstrokes, quite visible and directional, build the forms. The buildings aren't photorealistic; rather, Le Brun emphasizes the surface and texture of the paint itself. Editor: I’m struck by the contrast between the organic, almost mournful trees, and the rigid geometry of the buildings. They are symbols of two opposing forces. Curator: The tension between representation and abstraction is critical here; it's not just a picture of buildings, but an exploration of painting itself. Editor: It's a cityscape holding layers of historical memory within the symbolic language of the buildings, trees, and that unrelenting red. Quite haunting. Curator: Indeed, the formal elements create a compelling visual experience. Editor: Absolutely. It lingers in the mind.