Work Sheet 1948

Stanley William Hayter made this work sheet with ink on paper, and it looks like he was really trying to loosen up. I love the way the shapes seem to dance across the page. Hayter’s hand zips around intuitively. I imagine him in a playful mood, trying out different ideas. The ink is thin, allowing for quick, spontaneous gestures. You can feel the energy in the lines, they sort of remind me of calligraphy, if calligraphy was all feeling and no words! The forms overlap, creating a sense of depth and movement. See that little burst of yellow? It adds a touch of sunshine to the composition, like a thought bubble. It’s all about embracing the unexpected, finding joy in the process of creation, leaving room for surprise and discovery. It’s all about mark-making, like Cy Twombly or Agnes Martin – a constant conversation, a visual call and response among artists across time.