Gwyther Irwin

Forests of the Night

1963

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Not on display

Artist: Gwyther Irwin 1931–2008
Medium: Cardboard on board
Dimensions: Unconfirmed: 762 × 1073 × 25 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Purchased 1963
Reference: T00613

Display caption

As a child, Irwin was intrigued by the movement of the sea and the gradual erosion and dramatic rock formations of the North Cornwall coastline. His collages and paintings reflect his continuing interest in the rhythms and arrangements evident in the natural world. Working with carefully selected materials such as 'shredded, five-ply black cardboard', Irwin simulates the repeated patterns and fluidity of organic form. He explained, 'I am and always have been in thrall to the process of very gradual change.'

Gallery label, August 2004

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Catalogue entry

T00613 FORESTS OF THE NIGHT 1963

Not inscribed.
Cardboard on blockboard, 30×42 1/4×1 (76×107×2 1/2).
Purchased from Gimpel Fils (Grant-in-Aid) 1963.
Exh: Gimpel Fils, September 1963 (1, repr. upside down).
Repr: Studio, CLXVI, 1963, p.211.

The artist wrote (14 December 1963): ‘“Forests of the Night” is composed of shredded, five-ply black cardboard and is stuck on to black blockboard with Evostick ... the picture was a reflective experience made possible by the very particular organization of the material.’

Published in:
Mary Chamot, Dennis Farr and Martin Butlin, The Modern British Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture, London 1964, I