Poem/Print No. 11 [collaboration with John Furnival] 1969

Curator: Ian Hamilton Finlay, in collaboration with John Furnival, created "Poem/Print No. 11." Look closely at this work. What stands out to you? Editor: Stark simplicity. It feels almost like an architect's blueprint, this meticulously drawn fishing boat against a neutral background. Curator: Finlay often blended poetry and sculpture. He was deeply interested in classical ideas of beauty and order, even within the context of industrial or utilitarian objects. Editor: So, elevating the working boat to an almost heroic status? The precision and detail do give it a kind of quiet dignity. The listing of information, such as the boat's radio call sign, adds a layer of coded meaning, almost like a concrete poem. Curator: Exactly! He saw the potential for beauty and meaning in everyday things, challenging our notions of what art could be. Editor: It’s striking how he transforms the mundane into something that invites contemplation. A fascinating intersection of utility and poetry. Curator: It makes you wonder about the stories the boat could tell.