Air Raid Wardens 1943

Richard Correll made this lino print, Air Raid Wardens, in 1943, and the dark and light contrast gives a powerful impression of the Second World War. I can imagine him cutting away at that lino block, thinking about the men and women who were serving as ARP wardens during the air raids of the Blitz. It's a striking image of a time of fear and uncertainty. The use of bold lines creates a strong sense of depth and texture, and you get a sense of the materials, the weight of the equipment. What must it have been like to work with these limited materials during the war and to witness these events first-hand? There’s a real sense of drama in the scene, with the silhouetted figures emerging from the darkness. I feel sympathy for the artist in his attempt to capture such a time. The image invites us to reflect on the human spirit in the face of adversity.