Untitled #12 c. 1980s

Joel Fisher made this "Untitled #12" drawing on paper, and what grabs me right away is how he's embracing simplicity, almost like a Zen exercise. The colour palette is subdued; the paper has a raw, handmade quality which gives it an almost sacred feeling. Looking at the drawing, I feel like the single shape, or mark, is a kind of quiet declaration. It's neither bold nor shy. The texture of the paper plays a big role here – it's not trying to be perfect or smooth, it's got character. The drawing floats in the center, but the torn edges of the paper make the whole thing more intimate. There is a conversation going on between the raw edges, the handmade paper and the single calligraphic mark. It reminds me a little of Agnes Martin’s work; her focus on simplicity and the handmade feel. These are artists who aren't afraid to let the materials speak. It is all about embracing imperfection, and the journey of mark making itself.