Up-Ended Figure 1961

Curator: Peter Startup's "Up-Ended Figure," held in the Tate Collections, is a compelling sculpture whose date remains unknown. Editor: The immediate impression is one of precarious imbalance, isn't it? The dark wood, the almost brutal stacking of forms... it feels weighted with some unspoken tension. Curator: It does, and I think that tension is key. Startup often explored themes of instability and transformation. The "up-ended" nature speaks to a disruption of order, perhaps even a symbolic overturning of established norms. Editor: I'm struck by the texture. The grooved section at the top contrasts so sharply with the rough-hewn blocks below. It's as if two distinct languages are being spoken within a single form. Curator: Indeed. The vertical grooves could represent societal structures, the rigidity of expectations, while the fractured base suggests the breakdown of those systems, the struggle for individual expression. Editor: The materiality itself contributes. The sheer weight of the wood underscores the struggle inherent in such an overturning. It's not a light, breezy rebellion, is it? Curator: No, there's a gravity to it, a sense of somber reflection. It’s a powerful statement about the challenges of change, the emotional weight of challenging the status quo. Editor: Examining the artist's formal approach here is revealing. These seemingly disparate elements are integrated to create a profound visual argument. Curator: One that continues to resonate with anyone confronting upheaval, whether personal or societal.