[no title: p. 272] 1970

Editor: This intriguing print by Esq Tom Phillips, held in the Tate Collections, features a bold red shape against a black and cream background, interspersed with words and phrases. The composition strikes me as quite fragmented, almost like visual poetry. What compositional elements stand out to you? Curator: Indeed. The stark contrast between the red and black immediately commands attention, establishing a visual hierarchy. Note how the arrow directs the eye, while the isolated phrases disrupt any conventional narrative flow, emphasizing the materiality of language itself. Editor: So, it’s less about what it says and more about how it looks? Curator: Precisely. Phillips manipulates found text and graphic elements, inviting us to consider the interplay between form and meaning. Consider, too, how the artist’s interventions challenge the legibility of the original text. Editor: I hadn’t considered the act of obscuring as a creative choice. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: My pleasure. Close attention to form often unlocks new interpretations.