Untitled (Floral Still-Life) 1963

Editor: So here we have "Untitled (Floral Still-Life)" by Stuart Egnal, from 1963. It's a monochromatic print and the mood is quite somber, almost like a faded memory. It’s a very ghostly take on a floral still life. What do you make of it? Curator: Ghostly, yes, that's it! Like a memory pressed between the pages of a very old book. I love how the monochrome simplifies everything. The world drained of colour, leaving only shape and emotion. Look how those bold, almost geometric, petals fight against the inky darkness. What do you feel when you see that darkness encroaching? Editor: I suppose there’s a sense of impermanence. Like beauty, or life, fading over time. The geometric petals stand out in contrast to the flowing shape of the vase. Curator: Precisely! Impermanence is key, isn't it? Egnal seems to be saying: even in capturing a moment, we're already losing it. Also, what flowers do you imagine are depicted, if they were in bloom? Editor: Hydrangeas, maybe? It could also be abstract; a generic bunch of flowers in a vase to simply portray the passing of time. But maybe I'm digging too deep! Curator: Oh, never stop digging! Your hydrangeas are spot on, actually; and they’re perfect metaphors. A bit like the way we see beauty – full, vibrant, but inevitably fading. Editor: So, from memory to hydrangeas… I guess art really is a garden to be explored! Curator: Absolutely, and a bit of detective work with a dash of melancholy makes for a lovely stroll.