Untitled 29.8.87 1987

Curator: Bob Law's "Untitled 29.8.87" presents a large, almost entirely black rectangle, framed by a thin, darker border. What's your initial reaction? Editor: Initially, it feels like a void, a black mirror reflecting nothing. It’s somber, yet there’s an undeniable pull. Are there hidden depths here, symbolically speaking? Curator: The material itself is key; the texture of the paint on the support, the layering, these elements offer a tactile experience contrary to the seemingly flat image. Law challenges our perception, prompting us to consider the work as an object, laboriously constructed. Editor: I see it also as a symbolic gesture, stripping away representational imagery to tap into primal emotions linked to darkness, mystery, even mourning. It demands introspection. Curator: True, but Law's focus often remained on the physical act of making, questioning the boundaries between painting and object. It's a material and conceptual exploration. Editor: Perhaps the power lies in that tension – the stark material presence and the invitation to project our inner narratives onto it. Curator: A fruitful ambiguity, I think. It's been fascinating to consider these perspectives. Editor: Indeed. A powerful testament to simplicity and the depth it can hold.