Activated Sludge 1971

Curator: Here we have Julian Trevelyan's print, "Activated Sludge," held in the Tate collection. The image size is roughly 35 by 48 centimeters. Editor: It has an unexpectedly soothing quality for such a provocative title! The blues are very calming, even as the shapes feel quite abstract. Curator: Trevelyan was associated with the British Surrealist movement and later embraced a more representational style, often depicting industrial landscapes. The title refers to a sewage treatment process. Editor: That explains some of the strange symbols; the clusters of brown and blue rectangles suggest containers or holding units. But it still reads like a dreamscape—a blend of the organic and the manufactured. I see references to growth and geometric forms. Curator: Trevelyan's work often merges these elements, reflecting on the impact of industry. He documented the changing face of Britain with critical appreciation. Editor: It certainly prompts reflection on our relationship with the natural world, doesn't it? A surprisingly effective use of symbolic imagery.