[no title] 1978

Curator: Here we have an untitled print by John Piper, who was born in 1903 and died in 1992. It is currently held at the Tate. Editor: It's incredibly evocative. The triptych format and bold colors create a sense of fragmented memory. The female form repeated, yet obscured, feels both vulnerable and powerful. Curator: Piper’s work often explored themes of memory and decay, particularly in relation to architecture and the changing social landscape of Britain. It's interesting to see these concerns echoed through the human figure. Editor: The poses—the hand shielding the face—suggests shame, or perhaps a desire to conceal. Yet the rendering, particularly in the central panel, borders on abstraction, almost elevating the figure to an archetype. Curator: I agree. The use of different printmaking techniques in each panel reinforces this tension between the personal and the universal, the real and the symbolic. It's a fascinating commentary on the construction of identity. Editor: Absolutely. It’s a piece that stays with you, prompting contemplation about the multifaceted nature of self.