Goat II 2015

James Jean made this densely rendered image called ‘Goat II’ using blue pencil or ink, and it's a real testament to the power of a limited palette. The whole thing shimmers in these cool, watery tones. Look at the way the artist uses line; it's incredibly intricate, creating textures that feel almost tactile. The surface is alive with detail. Notice the way the goat’s fur is suggested with these tiny, swirling marks, or how the flowing fabric is built up with layer upon layer of delicate lines. The contrast between the smooth areas and the densely worked passages is really striking. This single colour choice gives a dreamlike, surreal quality that reminds me of Odilon Redon's symbolist drawings, but with a contemporary graphic sensibility. It invites us to get lost in its intricate details and find our own meaning within its enigmatic imagery.