Indian View K 1971

Curator: Howard Hodgkin's "Indian View K," held in the Tate collection, is a compact study in colour. What springs to mind for you? Editor: The almost aggressively flat green border really makes the central image feel like a window, doesn’t it? Curator: Yes, and I think Hodgkin intended that. He often evoked memories of specific places through these layered, abstract forms. The textures and colours suggest the vibrant, overwhelming sensory experience of India. Editor: Absolutely. I find myself wondering about the printing process here. This isn’t just paint on canvas; there's a definite layering and manipulation of the surface. It speaks to a labor-intensive approach, a careful choreography of colour and form. Curator: His prints often involved multiple plates and many layers of ink, creating this rich density. It is like he’s building an emotional atmosphere. Editor: It’s a testament to how material processes shape our perception. The artifice, the sheer 'madeness' of it, becomes part of the meaning. It is quite thought-provoking. Curator: Indeed. It's a small piece, but those colours hold so much feeling. Editor: Exactly, and considering its materiality only heightens the sensory impact.