Abstract 1958

Curator: Here we have "Abstract" by John Wells, part of the Tate Collections. Though undated, it gives the impression of being mid-century. Editor: It strikes me as both chaotic and grounding simultaneously, with its textured blocks of red and black. It feels like conflicting emotions rendered visually. Curator: Wells, born in 1907, was associated with the St. Ives School. These artists often abstracted from the natural world, reflecting a post-war search for meaning. Editor: The squares and rectangles, though abstract, evoke a sense of fragmented architecture, perhaps alluding to disrupted foundations or societal shifts. Curator: The monochrome palette reinforces that somber mood. It is indicative of post-war anxieties but also the emergence of new visual languages. Editor: It's a visual poem of resilience, finding beauty in the ruins and rebuilding from the fragments. Curator: A fitting encapsulation. Thank you. Editor: It was my pleasure.