[no title: p. 77] 1970

Curator: What a striking piece! We're looking at an untitled work from Esq Tom Phillips, page 77 of "A Human Document." The use of color blocking is quite powerful. Editor: Yes, the composition, divided into these distinct color fields of red and pink, immediately creates a sense of contrasting moods. What can you tell me about its making? Curator: Phillips is known for his altered Victorian novels, where he paints over existing text to create something new. This reveals a fascinating interplay of found material and artistic intervention. Editor: Precisely. The words themselves – “ridiculous,” “dreaming men,” “gorgeous ladies” – float like surreal fragments, almost demanding we restructure them, playing with formal arrangements and meanings. Curator: Consider the labour involved in carefully isolating these phrases, the methodical process of reclaiming language from a mass-produced object! Editor: The interplay between the graphic elements and the fragmented text creates a visual poetry, prompting questions rather than providing answers. Curator: Indeed, by embracing the process of deconstruction and reconstruction, Phillips offers us a potent reflection on language, culture, and consumption. Editor: It's a concise yet deeply evocative piece, showcasing an innovative formal approach to the act of reading and seeing.