Arenig 1911

Curator: James Dickson Innes' "Arenig," captures the raw beauty of the Welsh landscape. It’s a watercolor of modest size, just around 25 by 35 centimeters. Editor: There's a starkness to it, isn’t there? The limited palette and the bare tree give it a somber, almost lonely feel. Curator: Innes was deeply influenced by his travels, often depicting landscapes with a focus on the working class, the conditions of mining, and the impact of the landscape on local communities. Editor: Yes, but look at how he uses line! The sinuous curves defining the hills, and the contrast between the washes of color and the crisp ink outlines—it's all about shape and form. Curator: I think that reading the image only for its aesthetic qualities ignores the human intervention on the landscape itself, mining, quarrying and deforestation. Editor: But its composition, these layers, pull the eye back and create depth. It is visually arresting, even separate from such interpretations. Curator: Perhaps, but recognizing the social and economic realities adds layers of meaning. Editor: I suppose both can exist, side by side.