Belfast [second version] c. 1973 - 1974

Curator: Michael Rothenstein's print, Belfast [second version], is striking. Its dimensions are roughly 63 by 102 centimeters, held in the Tate Collections. Editor: It’s immediately jarring. The stark contrasts and repeated imagery create a sense of unease. Curator: Rothenstein, born in 1908, often explored socio-political themes. Here, the screenprint technique allows for the mechanical reproduction, emphasizing the mass dissemination of images and ideas. Editor: The use of newspaper imagery, combined with the gun motifs, situates it within a narrative of violence and political turmoil. It makes me think about the Troubles and the media's role. Curator: Precisely. The materiality of the print itself becomes a commentary on the mass production of information in times of conflict. The screen printing allows these complex layers to be repeated quickly. Editor: Seeing those layers lets you feel the urgency of a situation—and how it impacts identity and gender. Thanks, I’ll be considering that. Curator: Indeed. A powerful example of how materials and process can amplify a work's historical and social resonance.