Giant 1961

Misch Kohn’s ‘Giant’ is a monochromatic dance of ink, or paint maybe, that feels like a raw, immediate reaction to form. The way Kohn attacks the figure, not caressing but jabbing and pressing, makes me think about artmaking as a kind of struggle. Look at the texture – it’s almost geological, like layers of rock or bark building up to form this monumental being. The black is dense, packed with energy, yet it breaks apart, revealing glimpses of the paper beneath. This play between opacity and transparency creates depth, and it's almost like the giant is emerging from the void or dissolving back into it. Zoom in on that top left shoulder; see how the marks are almost violently applied? It's like Kohn wanted to capture not just the look but the weight and the power of this behemoth. It reminds me of some of Nancy Spero’s dark, powerful figures, not necessarily in appearance but in their shared sense of imposing presence. Art’s about the push and pull of ideas, so what do you think this piece might be saying?