Alhambra 1972

Curator: Well, hello there. Look at this: "Alhambra," a vibrant print made by Terry Frost back in 1972. It practically sings with colour. Editor: Oh, I like that! "Sings with colour" is spot on. Immediately, I'm getting this almost joyful, childlike exuberance. Like someone just discovered all the crayons in the box at once. Curator: You know, Frost was deeply inspired by places. The light, the colours. In 'Alhambra,' you see those geometric patterns—the repeating "X" or crescent shape. I believe this reflects the influence of the Moorish architecture of the Alhambra palace, especially the decoration and repeating motifs in Islamic design. Editor: Interesting that he simplifies the Moorish influence into a series of near kisses and hugs formed from semi circles. Makes you wonder about the cultural context. I’d bet that's pop art at work, translating something complex into accessible, almost graphic blocks of flat colour, but I wonder if it also downplays the deeper, spiritual side? Curator: He uses such bright, bold acrylic paints! Each square seems to have its own emotional charge. What do you get? Editor: A slight disquiet because the pattern breaks and starts again with the block arrangement; an ordered world with an undercurrent of joyful discord! Those broken geometric blocks create that almost playful imbalance to an otherwise well organised print. Perhaps that represents Frost breaking from traditional forms? Curator: The interesting question is: what IS the real order we're talking about? He has been quoted as referring to mathematics and ratios within his artworks; however, those same shapes and colours might simply be reflections on light hitting surfaces from an inspirational trip. Editor: You're right. It's the interplay, isn’t it? The structured vs. the free. Makes you keep looking to see how those colours talk to each other, where that rhythm breaks, begins, pauses and starts again! Curator: Ultimately, "Alhambra," does this marvellous job of taking those traditional shapes and giving us an optimistic, energetic, really modern vision. Editor: It definitely leaves a mark—makes you feel good about colour. I might add it to my favourite pattern collection!