Composition - Black and Yellow 1952

Editor: This is Adrian Heath's "Composition - Black and Yellow," currently in the Tate Collections. The sharp contrasts and blocky shapes give it a very graphic feel. What historical context should we consider when viewing this piece? Curator: Well, given Heath's lifetime, post-war abstraction movements are key. How did the public at the time interpret such non-representational forms? Was it seen as a rejection of traditional values, or an embrace of a new, modern era? Editor: I suppose it could be both, depending on the viewer's perspective. So, it's really about the evolving role of art in society? Curator: Precisely. The politics of imagery are always at play. What is being communicated, and who is it for? Thinking about that gives the work new context. Editor: Thanks, it is amazing to consider the relationship between the artist, the artwork and the public's perception during that time.