Oak Oracle 1980

Editor: This is Joe Tilson’s "Oak Oracle." It looks like a print, featuring rows of oak leaves and a handprint. It reminds me a bit of botanical illustrations, but with a much rougher, more handmade feel. What strikes you about this work? Curator: The silkscreen process is crucial here. Tilson’s choice to reproduce oak leaves, a readily available material, challenges traditional notions of artistic creation. Consider the labor involved in gathering, preparing, and printing these leaves. It’s about bringing the outside world into the gallery space, isn't it? What do you make of the hand? Editor: That's a great point. I hadn't thought about the labor involved. I guess the handprint reinforces that idea, connecting the artist's body directly to the work. Thanks, that helps me see it differently!