Canto XXII: [no title] 1982

Editor: This is "Canto XXII", a black and white print by Esq Tom Phillips. It reminds me of a comic book page, and the fragmented narrative feels really unsettling. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The comic book aesthetic points to a broader cultural fascination with war imagery and its mass dissemination. It asks, how do we consume violent narratives? Are we desensitized by their constant reproduction in popular media? Editor: So, it’s less about the specific battle depicted and more about the way war is portrayed in our culture? Curator: Exactly. Phillips uses the comic format to highlight the complex relationship between entertainment and violence. What do you make of the defaced statue in the center? Editor: That's a good question! It adds another layer of complexity. I'll definitely think about that.