Boats 1983 - 2006

Editor: We're looking at Bethan Huws' "Boats," a mixed media piece residing in the Tate. The contrast between the delicate boats and the sturdy wooden table it's displayed on is striking. What do you see in this piece from a formalist perspective? Curator: Notice how the composition is arranged; the boats are distributed, yet there’s a repetitive, almost rhythmic quality. The glass case both isolates and elevates the work. How does this layering and separation affect your perception? Editor: It makes me more aware of the materials—the wood's grain, the glass's transparency, the boats' fragility. Curator: Precisely. Huws uses these contrasts to explore the inherent qualities of each material. The juxtaposition highlights the formal relationships within the sculpture. Editor: That makes me see the artwork in a different way, and better appreciate the relationship between the materials. Curator: Indeed, focusing on such interplay opens up a deeper understanding of the artist’s intention.