Black on Black 1976

Curator: Before us is Alan Green’s intriguing print, aptly titled “Black on Black," held in the Tate collections. Editor: My first impression is of a somber textile sample—a study in texture and the subtle play of light across varied surfaces. Curator: The arrangement into four distinct quadrants draws the eye, each a separate world. The solid black square is reminiscent of Malevich, a void, perhaps, or infinite potential. Editor: Note how the other three quadrants offer different experiences through line density and directionality. The meticulous etching creates a tangible depth, a visual equivalent to the tactile. Curator: The grid structure itself, common in modern art, can be interpreted as a symbol of order or the fragmentation of experience in the modern world. What unspoken narratives do you think Alan Green is trying to convey? Editor: The texture hints at the rough edges of the human mind. In this artwork, Alan Green reveals a world within a world.