I 1973

Editor: This is John Walker's "I," housed at the Tate. The bold, sweeping marks give it a dramatic feel. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The dominance of line and tonality is striking. Note how the artist employs a limited palette, focusing instead on the texture and rhythm created by the brushstrokes. The composition’s energy resides in the interplay between these elements. Editor: So, the subject isn't as important as the formal qualities? Curator: Precisely. Walker prioritizes the act of painting itself. Do you observe how the surface becomes a record of gesture and process? Editor: I do. I hadn't considered it that way. Thanks for helping me think about process! Curator: My pleasure. It is the artist’s hand that shapes the viewing experience.