Spiral Thrust 1974

Werner Drewes created this monochromatic woodcut print, Spiral Thrust, featuring a composition of intersecting geometric forms. The artwork layers tones of black, white, and grey, where varied linear patterns create textural contrasts that evoke a dynamic and somewhat unsettling spatial experience. This print embodies Drewes's exploration of abstraction, reflecting early 20th-century artistic movements. The composition challenges fixed perspectives, prompting viewers to navigate the interplay between chaos and order, thus destabilizing our conventional understanding of space. Drewes uses the semiotic language of abstraction to suggest a world beyond surface appearances, inviting us to decode the underlying structure of reality. The dynamic interplay of light and shadow within this print offers not just a visual experience, but also a philosophical one. It mirrors the era's broader intellectual currents that questioned established norms and sought to redefine artistic expression, highlighting that the true essence often lies beneath the surface.