Hurricane Gustav 2009

Jill Baroff made this piece, Hurricane Gustav, using ink and possibly another medium to create the feeling of something that is moving. The whole thing just vibrates, doesn't it? Look at the way the delicate lines of grey and white ink create this dizzying spiral effect. It feels less about representation, and more like an invitation to feel the raw energy of a storm. It’s almost hypnotic, like staring into the eye of a hurricane, or maybe a drain? Notice the way the ink is applied in these super thin, almost translucent layers. It's not about showing off technique. Instead, each delicate mark builds upon the other to create this depth of feeling. It makes me think about Agnes Martin, both have this sense of quietness and meditation in their work. Ultimately, art is an ongoing conversation, with artists constantly learning and responding to each other. It's never really about finding definitive answers.