Église de Vernon, Normandy 1972

Editor: Here we have John Piper's 'Église de Vernon, Normandy.' It's a print that feels both ancient and modern, grand yet fragmented. How do you interpret this work? Curator: This print speaks volumes about Piper’s interest in the British landscape tradition and his experiences of WWII. Consider the gothic architecture depicted here. What does it tell us about power, and the violence that has marked its use? Editor: It does have a certain power, but I also feel a sense of vulnerability. Curator: Exactly. Piper's deliberate mark-making breaks down the monumentality of the building, inviting us to question established power structures, and to consider their inherent fragility. It's about understanding the politics embedded in our cultural landscape. Editor: It is a powerful statement about history. I hadn't thought about the violence aspect. Curator: These images invite a questioning of narratives, and what we, today, choose to remember.