Dimensions: image: 692 x 595 mm
Copyright: © The estate of Ceri Richards. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2014 | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Curator: Ceri Richards' "Do not go gentle into that good night" presents a stark, visceral image. Editor: It’s overwhelmingly dark, yet there's a raw, energetic quality to the composition. The stark contrasts create a feeling of intense struggle. Curator: Richards made this piece following the death of his father and the poem of the same title by Dylan Thomas. It's an expression of grief, but also a defiant response to mortality. Editor: The figure is contorted, almost falling, and that winged figure above seems both angelic and menacing. Its wings are chaotic, and the text interwoven feels almost like it’s smothering. Curator: It reflects the complex emotions surrounding death, especially within the context of Welsh culture, where poetry and song are central to processing loss. The title itself underscores the cultural weight of mourning. Editor: I'm struck by how the visual forms echo the emotional turmoil embedded in the poem. It’s a visual representation of wrestling with grief, rendered through contrasting textures and bold lines. Curator: It's a powerful statement, revealing the public and personal dimensions of grief and remembrance. Editor: Indeed, a potent and unforgettable interpretation of the universal struggle against mortality.