Trafalgar Square, London 1950

Editor: This is Ceri Richards's "Trafalgar Square, London." It's a large painting, and the all-over blue gives it a very dreamy, almost submerged feeling. What strikes you most about the materials and process here? Curator: Notice how Richards uses oil paint to create a textured surface, almost a tactile map of Trafalgar Square. The heavy impasto in areas like the fountain contrasts with the thinner washes elsewhere. It reflects a deliberate engagement with the physicality of the medium, drawing attention to the act of making itself. Consider how the labor involved relates to the commodification of this iconic space. Editor: So, it's not just about *depicting* the square, but also about the labor that goes into representing it? That's interesting. I hadn't thought about that. Curator: Precisely. By foregrounding the materiality, Richards asks us to consider not only what we see but also how it came to be and what social forces are at play. Editor: I'll definitely look at it differently now. Thanks!