Dec 10-54 1954

Editor: This is Ben Nicholson's "Dec 10-54," currently housed at the Tate. I'm struck by how the layering of the wood and the textures create such depth. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: The materiality is key. Note the interplay of rough-hewn wood against smoother painted surfaces. It's less about representation and more about Nicholson's labor, his direct engagement with the materials. How does this layering change your perception? Editor: It makes me think about the process, each layer being a step in the creation of the work and it almost feels like the work is unfinished. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: Precisely! It challenges the traditional notion of a finished artwork, focusing instead on the act of making and the inherent qualities of the materials themselves.