For the Hens (trial proof) 1968

Editor: So, here we have Alan Davie's print, "For the Hens," currently residing at the Tate. It's a striking black and white image, almost primal in its markings. The composition feels both chaotic and oddly balanced. How do you interpret this work, especially given its title? Curator: It's as if Davie's channeling some ancient ritual, isn't it? I find myself wondering if he's inviting us into a conversation between chance and intention, with the hens as silent observers, or perhaps, active participants? The stark contrasts highlight the raw energy, the unpredictable dance of life itself. Does the title guide your interpretation, or does the imagery take you elsewhere? Editor: It definitely makes me think of a farmyard, but in a very abstract way. Like a child's memory of one. Curator: Exactly! Davie often aimed to tap into that childlike spontaneity, that unfiltered expression. And, isn't that what makes art so endlessly fascinating? Editor: Absolutely, I’ll never look at a farmyard the same way!