Becalmed 19th-20th century

Curator: John William Evans' "Becalmed," shows a sailboat, seemingly stuck on a windless sea. The dark etching evokes such a strong feeling of isolation. Editor: It is an unsettling composition, isn’t it? The tonal range is so limited that the shapes seem to be emerging from a void. Curator: The figures on the boat are a study in precariousness, aren't they? One can easily imagine the sense of powerlessness felt by those vulnerable people stranded on the open water. The image brings to mind the fraught history of maritime exploration and the lives lost at sea. Editor: I see that but the etching technique really gives the whole scene a shimmering quality. The artist’s attention to texture is exquisite, from the sails to the choppy water. Curator: The becalmed ship functions almost as a metaphor for stagnation. It encourages us to consider how larger socio-political and historical forces can leave communities stranded, disconnected and adrift. Editor: Perhaps. But I think Evans is more interested in the visual tension between light and shadow. It's a study in contrasts. Curator: I see what you mean but I cannot help but feel the socio-political context lurking beneath the surface. Editor: Well, whatever the intention, "Becalmed" is a masterclass in monochromatic expression.