Play Street 1976

Editor: This is Janet Ledger’s print, "Play Street," in the Tate collection. It's monotone, almost like an old photograph, but the children playing add a sense of motion. What strikes you about the composition? Curator: The subdued palette, primarily sepia tones, invites focus on Ledger's manipulation of line and form. Note how the angularity of the buildings contrasts with the curvilinear forms of the children and their skipping ropes. Editor: I see what you mean. The houses are rigid while the children’s forms seem free. Curator: Indeed. The composition directs our gaze through the interplay of light and shadow, creating depth and emphasizing the spatial relationships within the 'Play Street'. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered how much the composition itself was contributing to the feeling of the piece. Curator: Considering the formal elements of art, and how they contribute to the whole, can be very rewarding.