Chool Kata 1994

Bruce Peck made "Chool Kata", a 1994 etching, using a deeply personal mark-making approach. It’s all about lines, see? Lines hatching and cross-hatching, building up tone, and conjuring these figures and scenes. The magic of an etching like this is that the artist scratches away at the plate to make an image emerge. It’s so physical, right? Look at how the network of etched lines vary in density and direction to create contrasts of light and shadow across the scene. The lines build up to describe form, texture and volume. Check out the figure on the right of the image, standing, and how his clothes are created through the direction of line. You can see how the artist is figuring things out. It reminds me a little of Whistler or Manet, the way it captures a fleeting moment with such sensitivity. You know, art isn't just about perfect representation, it’s about embracing the possibilities that arise from the unexpected.