Tête 1965

Alexander Calder made this work, Tête, using ink and gouache on paper. Calder worked across many different scales, from jewelry to monumental sculpture. Whatever the project, he was committed to an economy of means. Here, the materiality of the ink and gouache is paramount. The gouache gives us those blocks of primary color, asserting themselves against the white background. The lines of ink are decisive, each varying in thickness. This effect couldn't be achieved with paint alone, or printing. Calder used the inherent properties of ink to bring it to life. The apparent simplicity and playfulness of the composition is deceptive, given the skill involved in wielding his materials with such confidence. Calder was a master of line, form, and the delicate balance between spontaneity and control. His approach is a reminder that so-called "fine art" and "craft" are not so different after all. They both demand the same deep understanding of materials and processes.