Athletes 1973

Curator: Here we have Julian Trevelyan’s "Athletes," currently residing in the Tate Collections. What's striking to you initially? Editor: The rhythmic repetition immediately grabs me, yet there's a stark, almost unsettling quality to these figures. Curator: Indeed. Trevelyan's strategic use of geometric forms and contrasting colors—primarily black, white, red, and yellow—creates a visual cadence. Semiotically, the triangles and circles function as simplified, almost archetypal, representations. Editor: I’m drawn to how the shapes mimic the human form while simultaneously flattening and abstracting it. There's an underlying commentary about the representation of bodies, perhaps, and their societal roles. Curator: The composition, with its emphasis on line and shape, invites a consideration of the interplay between figure and ground, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely, and beyond the formal elements, it speaks to broader themes of standardization and the pressures to conform, especially pertinent when considering the historical idealization of athletes. Curator: It has been a pleasure dissecting Trevelyan's work with you. Editor: Likewise, teasing out its historical resonance.