Drought 1960

Lars Bo made this print, called Drought, most likely using etching and aquatint. The colours are faded and the line work is scratchy and frantic, like he was trying to catch a glimpse of something just beyond reach. I love how Bo uses these techniques to create texture, the density and layering giving a real sense of depth to this flat surface. Look at the way these figures are bursting from the doorway at either side, rendered with spiky, nervous lines. It reminds me of the way I make marks on a canvas, trying to capture a feeling more than a form. There’s a real energy in the image, like a build up of pressure or the moment just before a storm. Bo reminds me a little of artists like Dubuffet, who sought a rawness in their artmaking. Both artists seem to value instinct and authenticity over conventional technique. I see this piece as an open ended enquiry into how artmaking can be an ongoing exchange of ideas.