A Two Sunday Week 2014

Editor: So, this is "A Two Sunday Week" by Claude Lawrence, made in 2014. The painting seems to incorporate both drawing and painting elements with acrylic paint and what looks like linocut prints on canvas. The composition feels chaotic but grounded by these solid shapes. How would you interpret this work? Curator: The painting presents a stimulating arrangement of forms and lines. What first grabs my attention is the interplay between the solid black shapes, almost calligraphic in nature, and the more loosely applied yellow strokes. This push and pull creates a visual rhythm. How do you read that large central shape, almost like a tent or abstracted figure? Editor: It's interesting you say that. It reminds me of a house frame, or perhaps an abstract mountain. The layering gives the whole piece a spatial complexity that seems intentionally ambiguous. Is the dynamism of the line work suggestive of any particular influence? Curator: The dynamic lines suggest an Abstract Expressionist influence, particularly in its emphasis on spontaneous gesture. However, Lawrence also incorporates graphic elements, leading the eye across the surface in a deliberate manner. Do you think that this blending creates tension, or harmony, within the painting's structure? Editor: I think it adds tension and interest. It's like the rational and the intuitive are in conversation with one another. Are the colour choices contributing in a comparable way? Curator: Absolutely. The palette is restrained: black, yellow, and an off-white background. This creates a strong contrast and directs our focus to the structural components. Perhaps, Lawrence uses the colors to draw the eye to various sections of the image so the eye is not immediately fixed to the center. What’s your sense? Editor: Yes, I think the limited palette forces you to consider the relationships between the shapes more carefully. I see how he's using simple means to generate complexity, which I find compelling. Curator: Indeed. This focus on intrinsic elements is where the power of the work lies. Editor: Thanks. It has given me so much more to consider. Curator: My pleasure, this type of formal reading, is really what art is about.