Untitled c. 1981

Curator: Rufino Tamayo's "Untitled" print, circa 1981. The piece combines ink, coloured pencil, and watercolours. It immediately strikes me as both monumental and ancient. What do you see? Editor: The earthy tones and textured surface lend the image a somewhat solemn, grounding atmosphere. It's a stark contrast of geometric forms set against an organic background that feels, as you mentioned, quite aged. It reminds me of something discovered rather than something created. Curator: That's astute. Tamayo seems to draw inspiration from pre-Columbian art, specifically ancient Mesoamerican monoliths. One wonders about the physical labour involved in its making, about the availability of its media within the socio-economic circumstances of the time. Editor: Certainly, and looking purely at the formal construction, the central cruciform pushes against that, doesn't it? The texture provides depth while simultaneously flattening the plane, creating an almost paradoxical visual space. This pushes our understanding of surface versus symbol. Curator: Exactly! There is also a dynamic tension there. Tamayo often combined modern abstraction with cultural references and his approach challenged conventional material use. Here, one thinks about the democratization of printmaking as opposed to high-art painting. The scale makes one think of something reproducible and easily accessible. Editor: Yes, and that’s evident in its very structure. The blending of materials suggests an interest in eroding distinctions. It's not just about visual appeal but about questioning what constitutes a "print" versus another art form. The interplay forces the viewer to consider its construction, the how as well as the what. Curator: The symbolic weight in that simplified form is considerable; the way Tamayo layers and obscures offers a commentary on how meaning can both be hidden and revealed through material. What a treat it is to stand before this striking artwork! Editor: Indeed. It’s in exploring his process so thoroughly that our visual experience of “Untitled” shifts and rewards further contemplation. A most affecting experience, I'd say.