Cover Illustration to ‘Tides’ by John Montagu 1970

Curator: Here we have Stanley William Hayter’s cover illustration for John Montagu’s ‘Tides,’ currently held at the Tate. Editor: It's so vibrant! There's an energy to the color choices and the swirling lines—it feels almost chaotic, like the ocean itself. Curator: The image evokes the push and pull of the ocean, certainly. The contrast of red and blue could symbolize the tension between different forces, like fire and water, or perhaps opposing emotional states. Editor: Looking closer, you can really see the texture from the printmaking process. Each line has a physical presence, a density that speaks to the labor involved. Did Hayter experiment much with technique? Curator: Hayter was renowned for his innovative approach to engraving, particularly his use of color and texture to convey complex emotional and psychological states. Editor: Knowing that, it makes me consider the whole relationship between illustration and the industrial production of books and prints, and how a singular image is multiplied and distributed. Curator: Exactly, it's about conveying meaning through symbols, and Hayter was adept at tapping into the collective unconscious through his work. Editor: The way the material's manipulated really changes how we see both the image and its message. Curator: Indeed, a potent combination of artistic skill and symbolic depth.