London (Weston Street) 2008 2009

Curator: John Riddy's "London (Weston Street)," undated, presents a striking photograph of a weathered brick wall. Editor: It’s undeniably somber. The muted palette and the evident decay evoke a feeling of urban alienation, almost gothic. Curator: Precisely. Riddy meticulously captures the textures—the flaking paint, the dampness seeping from the pavement. Note how the composition emphasizes the vertical division, almost bisecting the frame. Editor: It speaks to the history embedded in these neglected spaces, doesn't it? The wall bears witness to countless stories, reflecting the socioeconomic forces that shape a city like London. Curator: One could argue Riddy’s focus shifts our gaze to the aesthetic qualities, to the inherent beauty within the distressed surfaces themselves. Editor: But can we truly separate that from the social narrative? This isn't just abstraction; it is a place, suggesting class divides and urban inequalities. Curator: Perhaps the tension between form and content is where the work truly resonates. Editor: I agree. It’s an artwork that invites continuous conversation about what we choose to see, and what stories remain hidden in plain sight.