C. Red 1968

Curator: Justin Knowles’ "C. Red," held in the Tate collections, strikes me immediately with its stark simplicity. It’s just a crimson, lens-shaped form against a white field. Editor: It feels so… contained, almost restrained. The shape is undeniably bold, demanding attention, but the surrounding white space creates a sense of isolation. Is it supposed to represent an eye? Curator: The lens-like form carries many connotations. In the post-war period, geometric abstraction was often seen as a way to rebuild a visual vocabulary. Perhaps this is a primal shape, or some futuristic form, that the artist found potent. Editor: Or, it's a symbol loaded with potential political meaning. Red has often represented strength, power, anger, even revolution. Considering the piece lacks a specific date, its symbolism becomes timeless. Curator: Knowles' manipulation of form invites us to contemplate the enduring resonance of shape and colour across time. Editor: Indeed. It encourages us to acknowledge both the unique context of its making and its continuing relevance today.