Trafalgar Square (trial proof) 1962

Curator: This is Ceri Richards' "Trafalgar Square (trial proof)." Look at these layered colors and shapes. Editor: Yes, there's a muted yet vibrant tension here. It reminds me of the social energy, the way people gather and disperse in public spaces. Curator: Richards often explored the intersection of the personal and the political. Given its title, how might this composition reflect the site of Trafalgar Square? What processes went into creating this piece? Editor: The fractured composition might speak to the political demonstrations often held there. It's a space of protest, visibility, and civic engagement. Curator: The printmaking process itself, with its layering and registration, creates a similar sense of disruption and re-alignment. Editor: The color palette, though muted, suggests something more than stillness. The blues and greens create a feeling of transition, of water, sky, and earth coming together. Curator: Considering its creation as a "trial proof" is key. It opens questions about process, materiality, and refinement. Editor: Indeed, the final artwork's impact is magnified when considering its place in the larger narrative of public space and personal expression. Curator: Exactly. It really brings home how vital the physical making of art is to what it evokes.