Once Upon a Time There Was Oil III 1982

Curator: Terry Setch's "Once Upon a Time There Was Oil III" presents a somber landscape, dominated by dark hues and a textured surface. I find the ambiguity almost haunting. Editor: Indeed. The very title points to a narrative steeped in exploitation, a fairytale gone wrong as a result of extractive industries. Setch is clearly making a statement. Curator: The layers of paint, almost sculptural in their application, speak to the physical manipulation of the environment and the lasting impact on the Welsh coastline he observed. Editor: Absolutely. And the ghostly figures seem to be bearing witness to this ecological damage. It is as though they are the specters of communities displaced or destroyed. Curator: Thinking about his process, the layering of materials isn't just aesthetic; it becomes a powerful commentary on the accumulation of environmental degradation. Editor: It makes you consider who benefits from such extraction, and who bears the burden of its consequences. A stark reminder that fairytales often exclude many. Curator: A chilling, yet ultimately compelling piece that invites us to consider the cost of progress. Editor: One that hopefully encourages reflection on our own role in this narrative.