Sun Head 1960

Editor: Here we have Cecil Collins’s “Sun Head” from the Tate Collection. It looks like an ink print. The heavy black ink gives it a very powerful presence. What do you see in the composition and technique of this piece? Curator: Observe how the circular form dominates the composition, literally embodying the 'Sun Head'. The stark contrast, the interplay of light and dark, gives the image a dynamic tension. Do you notice the almost violent application of ink? Editor: Yes, the texture is very expressive. It's not just a sun, it feels like an eruption. I hadn't considered the tension between the form and the application, or the symbolism of the circle. Curator: Indeed. Through its formal qualities, Collins offers a powerful symbolic expression. Editor: It is really insightful to consider how the form and texture work together. Curator: I agree. It is through this detailed analysis that we can decode the artist's intent.