Signals 1942

Editor: Edward Wadsworth’s "Signals," housed at the Tate, presents such a striking collection of forms. The arrangement of these objects evokes a sense of restrained tension. What hidden language do you see in this piece? Curator: The work is rich with symbolism. Consider the maritime signals themselves; each flag and buoy holds specific meaning. Wadsworth, working after the trauma of WWI, uses these visual cues to explore communication, or perhaps the failure of communication, in a fragmented world. Do you perceive a sense of anxiety in this imagery? Editor: I do, now that you mention it. The almost sterile precision coupled with the somewhat nonsensical arrangement hints at a deeper unease. Curator: Exactly. The visual vocabulary speaks to a collective memory of disruption and uncertainty. The imagery resonates still. Editor: I never considered the impact of WWI on the visual language of art so directly. Thanks!