Trafalgar Square 1958

Curator: Ceri Richards’ "Trafalgar Square," held at the Tate, presents a curious landscape in simple lines. It feels like a dream… or a half-remembered sketch. Editor: My first impression is chaotic, a jumble of shapes that only hints at the famous landmark. Are those pigeons? And Nelson's Column reduced to a doodle? Curator: Precisely! Richards plays with the familiar, abstracting iconic elements into something almost primal. The sparse lines evoke the square’s frenetic energy, the ebb and flow of people. Editor: I see your point. It's not a literal depiction, but more about capturing the feeling, the essence, of the place. A sort of emotional mapping, perhaps? Curator: Yes! And considering Richards' other work, one might see in these frenzied lines echoes of personal turmoil and larger societal anxieties. Editor: It certainly provokes thought, moving beyond a simple representation to a deeper commentary about public space and individual experience. I appreciate the evocative quality. Curator: Indeed, it’s a brave and captivating work, inviting reflection on how we perceive and remember our surroundings. Editor: A bold statement in minimalism; I'll certainly see Trafalgar Square with new eyes from now on.