Reksi 1992

Alfred Freddy Krupa made this small drawing of Reksi in 1992, probably with a wax-based red pencil. It’s all about the energy of the line, right? Look at how the marks build up to give us the form, but also seem to tremble and fade away, suggesting the animal’s alertness. I love the color. It's like dried blood, earth, and rust all mixed together. The tooth of the paper grabs the waxy pigment, creating a lively, broken surface. I can imagine Krupa holding the pencil loosely, letting it skate across the page, barely touching in places, pressing hard in others. See how the lines around the ear aren't really lines at all, but scribbles, little bursts of energy that capture the way the fur stands up? It makes me think of other artists who use simple means to get at something primal, like the cave painters at Lascaux, or Cy Twombly. It's a reminder that art doesn't always have to be polished or perfect, sometimes the rawest expression is the most powerful.