Interiors I: Family Reunion 1984

Peter Milton made this etching, Interiors I: Family Reunion, and just look at the possibilities of black and white—the work's tonal range is subtle, allowing you to feel the atmosphere of the scene. I can imagine him planning it all out, working with a magnifying glass, moving his tools delicately across the plate. Then the acid bath, revealing the image. I see the image as an interior of the mind—a series of memories, dreams, and emotions. Each detail adds to the psychological weight of the work. The mirrored images are pretty amazing—is that supposed to be his family in the background? Milton plays with perspective and scale, creating an uncanny sense of space. He might have been thinking about Surrealism and artists like de Chirico, who were also interested in the power of the unconscious mind. It's like the past is alive here, replaying itself in this space. Ultimately, Milton reminds us of the power of art to explore our inner selves, turning memories into something palpable.