Dimensions: image: 382 x 355 mm
Copyright: © Bill Woodrow | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Curator: Bill Woodrow's print "Chromium" presents an intriguing composition. The stark black and white contrast really grabs the eye. Editor: It does, doesn't it? My first impression is one of disquiet. The floating onion, the eye… it's unsettling, almost surreal. What's the story here? Curator: Well, it's likely tied to Woodrow’s practice of using found materials to explore industrial processes and their impact. The onion might refer to layers of meaning, or perhaps allude to the cyclical nature of production and decay. The title, "Chromium," adds another layer, suggesting a connection to industry. Editor: Yes, and visually, the circular motifs, echoed in the onion and the ripples, create a strong sense of formal unity despite the unsettling imagery. The grid-like form at the bottom seems to ground the composition. A study in contrasts. Curator: Absolutely. Thinking about it, it’s a sharp commentary on the ways industrial elements are integrated into our understanding and use of everyday objects. Editor: Indeed, and through these stark graphic choices, a striking emotional response.