The Church Wall 1954

Editor: This is Edward Bawden's "The Church Wall" from an unknown date, held at the Tate. The composition strikes me as stark, almost brutal in its simplicity. What elements of the visual language stand out to you? Curator: The formal arrangement is of paramount interest. Note the interplay between positive and negative space, how the solid architectural forms are countered by the ambiguous shapes of the shadows and vegetation. Bawden is disrupting the expected symmetry. Editor: I see, so it's less about the church itself, and more about the relationship between the shapes? Curator: Precisely. The subject matter serves as a vehicle for exploring formal relationships. Consider the textures, how the horizontal lines of the roof contrast with the verticality of the columns. Editor: I appreciate the emphasis on form over subject; it really changes how I see the work. Curator: Indeed. The artist’s manipulation of line, shape and texture offers a rich visual experience.