Next of Kin 1943

Helen Louise Johann made this arresting woodcut, Next of Kin, at some point in the 20th century. The stark black and white feels so immediate, doesn't it? Like a bold headline grabbing your attention. Look at the way Johann uses these parallel lines to create form and shadow, especially in the figure's face and clothing. It’s like she’s carving out the very essence of the subject, giving her not just a presence, but an almost palpable weight. The newspaper headline "Race Riots" speaks volumes, doesn't it? It’s heavy stuff, made even more poignant by the direct gaze of the figure. And the star in the window behind her feels so loaded with meaning. I'm reminded of Jacob Lawrence, particularly his series on migration and war. Both artists were grappling with ideas of identity, displacement, and the ongoing struggle for social justice. Art like this isn’t just about what we see, but what it makes us feel and think. And that's a conversation worth having, don’t you think?