Sometimes I Wonder What's in Those Darn Things 1953

Herbert Lawrence Block made this drawing, 'Sometimes I Wonder What's in Those Darn Things,' with ink on paper, and the marks feel immediate, like the thought just poured right out. The frenetic energy in the lines, it’s like he’s sketching a thought, not just a picture. Look at the pile of books, the way they teeter, threatening to spill into the space of those nervous looking figures. The line quality varies, thick and thin, creating depth and shadow, but it's also kind of a mess, which is perfect, because the subject is about bureaucracy run amok. Block uses the hatching to describe the forms of the books but also to create a sense of unease and claustrophobia. It reminds me of Philip Guston's later work, where the clunky forms and rough outlines convey a similar sense of anxiety and social commentary. Both artists embrace the imperfections of their medium to tell a story that's more felt than seen.