La Foresta I 1971 - 1972

Editor: So, this is "La Foresta I" by Graham Sutherland. It's difficult to date, but it's part of the Tate collection. The overwhelming green gives it this intense, almost claustrophobic feel. What do you make of it? Curator: The density certainly speaks to a post-war anxiety, where nature, once a refuge, becomes almost menacing. Consider the social context: a world grappling with industrialization's impact. Is this a celebration of nature's resilience or a lament for its loss? Editor: That's a really interesting way to see it. I was just thinking about the colour. Curator: But colour isn't neutral, is it? It carries cultural weight. Think about the symbolism of green – growth, envy, decay. Sutherland gives us all that at once! Perhaps that tension reflects the ambivalence of his time. Editor: I didn't consider it could be so loaded. Thanks. Curator: Absolutely, art holds up a mirror to our collective consciousness.