Llanberis 17.9.96 1996

Curator: Chris Ofili's 'Llanberis 17.9.96' presents us with an intimate drawing, approximately 25 by 20 centimeters, currently residing in the Tate Collections. Editor: My first impression is one of hypnotic detail, almost dizzying in its intricate patterns. It feels both organic and meticulously constructed. Curator: Absolutely. The title suggests a specific place and date, Llanberis in Wales. How might that landscape have influenced Ofili's mark-making at this time? Editor: Perhaps the repetitive patterns echo the textures found in the natural world, translated through his hand. I am fascinated by the labour involved; it defies mass production. Curator: Indeed. It reminds us that even within established art circles, there is always a need to interrogate the social and economic context of production. Editor: Looking closely makes me think about its accessibility, a drawing free from many art world constraints, it’s a democratic medium. Curator: Exactly. Seeing Ofili's hand present in each mark reframes the artistic act as an accessible form of cultural creation. Editor: A wonderful point to end on; it redefines our appreciation of the labour and inherent value in art making.