Three Kings 1957

Misch Kohn made this print, Three Kings, sometime in the 20th century, and it’s a real testament to the power of black and white. Look at how the artist uses the swirls and dots to create texture and form. The whole thing feels like a dance between control and chance, doesn't it? The piece has this incredible materiality – a kind of gritty elegance. You can almost feel the way the ink was laid down, thick in some places, almost transparent in others. If you look closely at the middle figure, you can see this beautiful network of tiny white dots, like stars against the dark ground. It’s this contrast between the dense, dark shapes and the delicate details that really grabs you. The swirls give a sense of movement and lightness which is juxtaposed with the bulk of the figures. Kohn’s work reminds me a bit of Roger Herman, in the way he fearlessly dives into the process, letting the materials lead the way. There is a definite sense that Kohn is having a conversation with art history, remixing old ideas into something new. It’s not about having all the answers, it's about embracing the questions.