[title not known] 1981

Editor: This intriguing diptych by William Johnstone seems to combine an abstract ink wash with a poem titled "Then." The stark contrast between black and white, the texture of the ink, creates a somber mood. What can you tell me about the process and context? Curator: Notice how the application of ink varies – thick swathes contrasted with delicate drips. How does the materiality of ink, traditionally used for writing and illustration, inform our understanding alongside the text? Considering the time, could the artist be commenting on the means of textual or image production, perhaps highlighting labor and the hand? Editor: That's a great point; I hadn't thought about the labor involved in the creation of this artwork. Curator: Think about the social context, too. What kind of work do you think ink lends itself to? Editor: This makes me consider the poem more closely. The themes of loss and struggle, coupled with the gestural ink marks, evoke a sense of immediacy and physicality. Curator: Exactly! Perhaps it's not just about depicting, but about embodying, the weight of history.