[title not known] 1981

Curator: This is an intriguing, untitled work by William Johnstone, created with ink on paper. The piece is held in the Tate Collections. Editor: The stark contrast between the black ink and the white paper immediately creates a sense of drama, almost a primal scream on the page. Curator: Johnstone was deeply influenced by Surrealism and abstraction, often exploring themes of identity and the subconscious. The accompanying text references vulnerability and a search for origins. Editor: The ink blots, almost Rorschach-like, invite multiple interpretations. The hand-like shapes reaching upwards contrast with the formless figure; is this an appeal or a threat? Curator: Considering Johnstone's interest in Jungian psychology, the imagery could represent the shadow self, the part of our psyche we often suppress. It's a reflection on inner turmoil. Editor: For me, the raw quality of the ink itself, the way it bleeds and splatters, becomes a metaphor for the untamed emotions being expressed. The poem amplifies that feeling. Curator: Indeed, it's a powerful combination of visual and textual elements that resonate with the complexities of the human experience. Editor: I agree, its ambiguity and emotional intensity remain compelling.