Angel of the Stars 1960

Editor: We’re looking at Cecil Collins’ “Angel of the Stars,” held at the Tate. It appears to be a print. The stark contrast and rough texture give it a somewhat ethereal, unsettling quality. What can you tell me about how it was made? Curator: Considering the process, the medium itself–likely a woodcut or linocut–dictates the bold contrasts. We see the artist’s hand laboring, cutting away material to reveal the image. Think of the social context: was this artwork intended for mass production, to democratize access to spiritual imagery, or was it a more personal endeavor? Editor: That's fascinating! It makes you think about who would have seen this and how they would have interacted with it. Curator: Exactly! The materials and methods of production connect the artist to a wider network of labor and consumption. What do you make of that? Editor: Thinking about the printmaking process certainly shifts my perspective on the image and its potential audience.