Lower Brockhampton 1983

Editor: This is John Piper's "Lower Brockhampton," held at the Tate. The buildings almost seem to emerge from the shadows. What strikes you about the composition? Curator: The artist uses a juxtaposition of light and shadow to create a sense of depth. The structural form is created by bold contrasts, notice the linear quality that defines the shapes. It’s all about the push and pull of form. Editor: So, it's less about representing the buildings realistically and more about how the shapes interact? Curator: Precisely. One could say the buildings are mere armatures for an exercise in compositional dynamics. Editor: That's given me a whole new way to look at it.