Beeston Castle c. 19th century

Editor: This is John Byrne's "Beeston Castle," a print of an imposing castle ruin. It’s got such a melancholic feel. What strikes you about it? Curator: Beyond its aesthetic appeal, I see a commentary on power and its inevitable decay. The castle, once a symbol of authority, is now a ruin, overtaken by nature. How does this resonate with contemporary dialogues about colonialism and land ownership? Editor: That's interesting, I hadn't thought about it that way. It makes me see the landscape itself as a kind of protest. Curator: Exactly! The landscape reclaims what was once dominated. This piece invites us to question whose stories are told and whose are erased in the narratives of history. Editor: I'm starting to see it as more than just a landscape. Thanks! Curator: It's a reminder that even the most imposing structures are temporary, and the land endures.