We Have a Claim! c. 1939

Ida York Abelman made this monochromatic artwork of graphite on paper called ‘We Have a Claim!’. The title suggests some sort of assertion, and the drawing itself certainly feels assertive! It's dense, it's graphic. The lines are laid down with such insistent pressure. Even though it’s just black and white, it feels loud, like it's speaking up for something. I'm drawn to the way Abelman constructed this image, piecing together different elements with such deliberate mark making. It's not just about depicting a scene, it's about building it, bit by bit, with this focused energy. The face right in the centre feels like the anchor. From there, the hands, tools, and machinery sort of explode outwards, almost like a force field, creating this layered and dynamic composition. Abelman reminds me of Peter Saul, who also creates art with strong political and social justice messages.