Near Newcastle Emlyn, Cardigan 1968

Editor: So, this is "Near Newcastle Emlyn, Cardigan" by John Piper. It's difficult to put my finger on it, but the printmaking gives the scene a somewhat unsettling, almost apocalyptic, feel. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Let’s consider the industrial processes underpinning the print. Note the layered textures. How do these reflect Piper’s interest in the material and the means of its production? What kind of paper was used? And what was its sourcing? Editor: I hadn't really thought about that! So you’re saying that understanding its physical origins helps to contextualize the work? Curator: Precisely. The materiality speaks to the social conditions of its creation. Reflecting on this really makes you consider the labor that went into its production. Editor: That's a really different way of thinking about art. Thanks for opening my eyes!