The Story Lost in the Snow 1971

Editor: Here we have Ceri Richards' "The Story Lost in the Snow," date unknown. It's got this striking combination of delicate line work and bold color fields that gives it a dreamlike, almost unsettling quality. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, I notice how Richards uses lithography to flatten the figures, emphasizing the process of printmaking itself. The seemingly simple lines belie the labor involved in their creation, especially considering Richards' socialist leanings. Where does the 'story' reside, if not in the materiality itself? Editor: So, you're focusing on the physical act of making the print to understand its meaning? Curator: Precisely. The tension between the 'high art' subject matter and the 'low art' printing process is key. What do you make of the color choices? Editor: It makes me think about how the choice to flatten figures could make viewers question the story presented. Curator: Yes! Thinking about the medium makes a difference!