Spike 2008

Alfred Freddy Krupa drew Spike with a pen on paper, and it’s all about these delicate, searching lines. I find myself tracing the marks that define Spike’s form; they’re so economical, yet they capture so much. Look at how the density of the lines shifts, creating shadows and volume, especially around the dog's face. It’s this incredibly subtle dance between light and dark, achieved with the simplest of means, that gives Spike its depth and character. You can almost feel the texture of the paper beneath the ink, a tactile reminder of the artist's hand. The raw, immediate quality of the drawing reminds me of Cy Twombly’s works. There’s a similar sense of vulnerability and openness, a willingness to let the process be visible, which leaves a lot of space for imagination.