Untitled (Strike) c. 1935 - 1943

This forceful charcoal drawing of a protest, Untitled (Strike), was made by Philip Ayer Sawyer, though we don’t know when. I imagine him standing there, close to the paper, pushing hard with the charcoal to create these figures emerging from the darkness. Look at the arm raised in defiance, the strong diagonal lines creating a sense of upward movement. I feel the artist’s own conviction in these marks, that determination to capture the raw energy of collective action. It makes me think about Käthe Kollwitz, another artist who used drawing to express empathy for the struggles of working-class people. There's a similar intensity and commitment to social justice here. Ultimately, for both artists, the simple act of putting charcoal to paper becomes a powerful statement about humanity. And it is through the artist's labor that we are invited to witness and engage with their vision.