Old Man and Soldier 1971

Curator: Philip Hicks’s print, titled “Old Man and Soldier,” held in the Tate Collections, presents a stark juxtaposition of figures. The dimensions are 657 by 438 millimeters. What strikes you first? Editor: The fragmented composition. The aquamarine background with sharp geometric interruptions clashes dramatically with the distressed faces. Curator: This aesthetic tension, I think, reflects the social unrest prevalent when Hicks created this. His work often grapples with themes of conflict and its impact on ordinary people. Editor: True, the broken contours and layered images suggest a breakdown – a fracturing of identity perhaps? The palette, though limited, evokes a sense of unease. Curator: Absolutely. And the arrow, that stark directional cue, almost mocks the subjects, implying an inescapable trajectory of violence. Hicks’s use of symbolism is definitely intentional. Editor: Yes, and the raw, almost unfinished quality of the printmaking adds to the feeling of vulnerability. The textures emphasize the harsh realities depicted. Curator: Seeing "Old Man and Soldier" through both a historical and formal lens really enhances its profound message about humanity and conflict. Editor: Indeed. It's a potent work that clearly conveys both the external ruptures of war and the internal divisions it creates.