Dimensions: support: 575 x 768 mm frame: 638 x 828 x 45 mm
Copyright: © The estate of John Bigge | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Editor: Here we have John Bigge's "Composition" from the Tate. It's an abstract work with biomorphic shapes. It has a slightly nautical feel to me, maybe because of the blues and the undulating forms. What's your take on this intriguing piece? Curator: Nautical, yes, I see that! It's like peering into the subconscious of the sea. Those shapes... they remind me of dreams, the kind that slip through your fingers the moment you wake. Perhaps Bigge was trying to capture the ephemeral nature of thought itself, wouldn't you say? Editor: That's a lovely thought! I hadn't considered the dream aspect, but now I see how it all fits. Thanks!
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tate 3 months ago
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Bigge was a late inclusion in Unit One. His work was known to Nash but not to Nicholson, Moore or Coates. He was clearly influenced by Edward Wadsworth. Bigge wrote in the Unit One book, in which this painting was illustrated, that modern painting should avoid 'sentimentality' as well as 'Romanticism, Prettyness, charm, decorativeness, and preciosity' and look for 'Precision, clarity and simplicity'. He argued that an abstract painting should have a 'pure' content. Its forms must not be associated with 'function or symbol' and should appear solid but dispense with 'modelling and perspective'. It should be logically constructed and form and colour should be integrated. Gallery label, August 2004
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