Nov 78 (strange landscape) 1978

Curator: Nicholson’s “Nov 78 (strange landscape),” held in the Tate Collections, presents an intriguing abstract composition. The support measures 143 by 165 millimeters. Editor: It feels like a subdued dreamscape, almost oppressive in its darkness despite the small scale. The interplay of textures is immediately striking. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the rough, almost crude application of paint, juxtaposed with the precise, geometric lines. Nicholson’s use of contrasting textures and colors directs the viewer’s eye across the artwork. Editor: I wonder about the "strange landscape" designation. Could it reflect Nicholson's anxieties about the changing political landscape of the late 70s? There's a sense of foreboding here, a visual metaphor for societal unease. Curator: Interesting point. Though, without explicit documentation, situating the work entirely within that specific political context remains speculative. Instead, perhaps it speaks more to his continued formal exploration. Editor: Perhaps it's both—the personal and political so often intertwine, don't they? Either way, it is a compelling study. Curator: Indeed, a testament to Nicholson's enduring ability to provoke thought through simple, yet evocative, forms.