6. St Kew, Cornwall: Church in a Hilly Landscape 1964

Editor: This is John Piper's "St Kew, Cornwall: Church in a Hilly Landscape." I'm drawn to its abstracted forms, but what sociopolitical context might have influenced Piper’s interpretation of the rural English landscape? Curator: Piper's wartime work often romanticized British landscapes, yet it was also a defiant act. Considering the looming threat of destruction, do you think this image carries a subtle message of resistance, a need to preserve cultural identity amidst potential loss? Editor: I hadn't considered it that way. It reframes my understanding of his art. Curator: Exactly. By connecting art to broader social issues, we see how even seemingly pastoral scenes can carry powerful political weight.