[no title] 1998

Curator: Here we have an untitled etching by John Walker, a piece held in the Tate Collections. It’s a small work, roughly 25 by 20 centimeters. Editor: It feels turbulent. The dense, dark marks create a sense of unease. What can you tell me about Walker’s process here? Curator: Walker often used found materials to create his plates. This print likely involved layering textures and corrosive techniques, challenging the traditional preciousness of printmaking. Editor: Given the socio-political context of the late 20th century, it's hard not to see these distorted figures as reflections of widespread anxiety. How do you see its reception? Curator: I see your point, but I am more interested in the labor involved and how the materiality dictates the expression. Still, its raw energy undeniably evokes the uncertainty of its time. Editor: Exactly, it is a potent work. I’m left considering the intersection of personal expression and public sentiment. Curator: Agreed. The material choices do so much work in conveying a specific, almost suffocating texture.