Boxford Church, Suffolk 1974

Curator: This is Valerie Thornton’s "Boxford Church, Suffolk," a print held in the Tate collection. I find it immediately captivating. There's something ethereal about the way she captures the architecture. Editor: It’s fascinating how the texture suggests the stone construction itself. You can almost feel the roughness of the church's exterior. Curator: Exactly! And think about what churches represented, especially in the rural landscape—centers of community, power, and sometimes, exclusion. Thornton presents a complex interplay between the individual and these structures. Editor: The labor involved in erecting a building like this, the collective effort…it's etched into the very stones she depicts. The printmaking process mirrors that slow, deliberate creation. Curator: I see it as a reflection of societal shifts and the church's evolving role. Thornton captures a sense of timelessness but also fragility. Editor: It's a beautiful testament to the enduring nature of materials. The stone will outlast us all. Curator: Indeed, and Thornton's work urges us to reflect on our own fleeting presence. Editor: Yes, it is a thought-provoking intersection of time, labor, and faith.