Street Singers 1925

Claude Flight made this linocut, called Street Singers, in the early 20th century. It’s all about rhythm and movement. See how the colors vibrate, like a jazzy tune? Flight uses simple shapes and bold colors to create a sense of energy, like the musicians are really belting out a song. The way the ink sits on the paper, it’s almost sculptural. Look at the black lines forming the figures and instruments. They’re not just lines, they're little canyons, catching the light and casting tiny shadows. It's not a smooth surface; you can almost feel the texture of the block, and the pressure of the press. It's like the print is alive, humming with the vibrations of the city. This print reminds me of some of Sonia Delaunay's abstract compositions, with their bold shapes and vibrant colours. But where Delaunay is all about pure abstraction, Flight brings in the human element, the everyday energy of the street. It's a beautiful example of how art can capture the feeling of a moment, the sound of a place, without being strictly representational.