Untitled II 1964

Editor: This is Kenneth Rowell’s "Untitled II," currently held at the Tate. I'm struck by the stark contrasts and how figures seem to emerge from a dreamlike space. What underlying symbols or cultural echoes do you observe in this work? Curator: The figures certainly evoke a sense of ritual, don't they? Rowell seems to be tapping into archetypes, perhaps drawing from ancient mythology or theatrical traditions. Note how the halo-like shapes above their heads give them an almost sacred quality. Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't thought about the theatrical aspect, but now I see how the composition has a stage-like quality. Thanks for pointing that out!