Abstract c. 1972 - 1983

Editor: This is Barry Flanagan's "Abstract," a print from the Tate Collections. It's filled with these curving lines. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The composition employs a dense network of curvilinear elements. Note the varying weights of the lines and the subtle tonal gradations achieved through the printmaking process. Editor: So, it's all about how the lines interact on the page? Curator: Precisely. The artist’s arrangement, the balance between positive and negative space, contributes significantly to its aesthetic impact. Are you seeing how the lines interact? Editor: Yes, I see how the lines create a kind of movement and rhythm. Curator: Indeed, analyzing these formal qualities is key to understanding its artistic merit.