Alcheringa 1 - Fire 1971

Editor: So, this is Joe Tilson's "Alcheringa 1 - Fire," a print from... well, we don't have the exact date. It's got this intense, almost chaotic energy, and it feels really symbolic. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Chaotic, yes, like a visual poem, perhaps? Tilson’s “Alcheringa” series draws from Aboriginal Australian mythology, which focuses on the dreamtime, the creation. That ladder labeled with "Fire," "Aurora," "Red Hand"… it’s a climb towards enlightenment, maybe? Does it spark any personal associations for you? Editor: I guess the ladder makes me think of personal growth, climbing to new levels. But what about the handprint? Curator: Ah, the hand! Think of the hand as a primal connection, a direct link to experience, to making. It grounds the ethereal quality of the ladder. Tilson blends ancient and modern mythologies, inviting us to find our own connections. Editor: That's fascinating. I see it now - a bridge between worlds. Curator: Exactly! It's less about decoding a set meaning, and more about letting the imagery resonate within you.