Bull-Pen 1984

Editor: Here we have Alan Shields' "Bull-Pen," undated, held at the Tate. I'm struck by the layered textures and the way he combines different grids. What is your take on this piece? Curator: Notice the raw, handmade quality of the canvas and the printing. Shields challenges the notion of preciousness. How does the artist's process, his labor in building up these layers, inform your understanding of the work? Editor: I see what you mean. The imperfections show the artist's hand, making it feel more immediate and less like a manufactured object. Curator: Exactly. Consider the social context too. In what ways does this embrace of materiality and process, set against ideas about consumption, challenge the traditional art market? Editor: That's a good question. The work feels very tactile, earthy, almost… humble, which is a contrast to a lot of what you see. Thanks, I will definitely think about that. Curator: My pleasure! It’s all about considering how the artist’s choices reflect broader social and economic forces.