May 1st 1997

Alexander Bogen created this drawing, titled "May 1st," using ink on paper. It's a loose, gestural piece, capturing a figure in motion with expressive lines. The choice of ink, a readily available and inexpensive material, speaks to a certain directness. There's no laborious process here; instead, a spontaneous application that prioritizes speed and expression. The image is a worker holding both a flag and flowers. The association of May Day with socialist and communist movements is not a coincidence. This was a day for celebrating worker’s rights. The quick, almost frantic strokes of the pen imbue the artwork with an energy that might otherwise be absent. In its apparent simplicity, the drawing challenges traditional notions of artistic skill, and value. The work draws our attention to the social context of art-making, where everyday materials can become tools for powerful expression.