Untitled 1987

This is an untitled mixed media piece by Jules Perahim. It has a black and white palette, and the approach to mark making feels very intuitive. I get the sense that Perahim really allowed the materials to do their thing! There’s this marbled effect in the background, like ink swirling in water, which creates a sense of depth and movement. Against this swirling ground, the solid black shapes of the figures really pop. The texture here is everything; the way the ink bleeds and pools, the contrast between the dense black and the watery background. It makes me think about automatic drawing, or letting the subconscious take over. I'm drawn to the spindly legs of the floating figure, how they seem to defy gravity. It’s like the piece is asking: what if we embrace chance and let the materials lead the way? Perahim reminds me of artists like Joan Miró, who also explored biomorphic forms and embraced the unexpected. For me, this piece feels like a reminder to stay open to possibilities and not be afraid to let go of control.