Turning and Turning in the Widening Gyre 1974

Curator: This is "Turning and Turning in the Widening Gyre," a print by Victor Pasmore. It's held in the Tate Collections. Editor: My first impression is that it feels both chaotic and strangely contained, like a storm in a teacup, or perhaps something organic under a microscope. Curator: The title, taken from Yeats, emphasizes the cyclical, generative, and sometimes destructive nature of history. See how Pasmore uses these looping lines? Editor: Precisely! I see echoes of labyrinths and ancient script. The gyre, for Yeats, represented historical cycles and the collapse of order, which Pasmore seems to visualize through these spiraling forms. Curator: And it is important to note Pasmore’s turn away from pure abstraction toward more grounded representations of natural form, a return to more traditional forms of making. Editor: I see what you mean. It’s fascinating how Pasmore captures such potent symbolism within a simple, earthy palette. It really makes you think about the weight of history. Curator: Absolutely, and considering Pasmore's process adds another layer to our understanding. Editor: Indeed, I'll definitely be pondering that connection between form and feeling.