Black over White 1975

Curator: Here we see Alan Green’s “Black over White” from the Tate Collections. The dimensions of the image are 545 by 692 millimeters. Editor: My initial impression is of a quiet tension; the contrasting textures create a visual unease. Curator: The title itself is fairly self-explanatory, but it does belie Green’s engagement with minimalist visual language. He’s working with a reduced palette and simple forms to explore perception. Editor: Considering Green's abstract style, this work is a product of its time. But how do we perceive the monochrome against the backdrop of its post-war context? Curator: That might suggest the socio-political landscape influenced his artistic choices, even in this ostensibly non-representational work. Editor: Perhaps. Regardless, this piece offers a wonderful study in the power of constraint. Curator: Indeed, it provokes reflection on the fundamentals of art making.