Over Sir John’s Hill 1965

Curator: Before us hangs Ceri Richards' "Over Sir John's Hill," now residing at the Tate. Richards, born in 1903, offers a scene both familiar and strange. Editor: It feels like a myth unfolding, a story told through symbols. The predatory birds above cast a long shadow—a palpable sense of tension. Curator: Richards created this image without a date, but he did create it during a period when he was exploring similar themes of life and death, deeply influenced by Dylan Thomas' poem. Editor: The heron below, seemingly oblivious, introduces a powerful juxtaposition. It represents vulnerability, innocence perhaps, against the backdrop of looming danger. Is it a premonition of cultural memory? Curator: This contrast speaks volumes about power dynamics. The looming birds could represent oppressive forces, while the heron embodies resistance or perhaps simply resilience in the face of adversity. Editor: It's a potent reminder that even in serene landscapes, the potential for violence—both symbolic and real—always lingers. I see the visual symbolism between the two as a dialogue of opposites. Curator: I agree. It encourages us to consider who holds the power and how that power impacts the most vulnerable among us. Editor: A story told through images. Thought-provoking.