Man Working [recto] c. early 1940s

Dox Thrash made this print, Man Working, using carborundum, that’s silicon carbide, a pretty modern material, so he could get these velvety darks. It’s all about process, right? You can almost see him layering the ink, coaxing out the figure. There’s such a contrast, he’s built this guy up from dark shadow to almost glowing skin. Look at the hatching on his arm, see how it curves to give him form? It’s like Thrash is sculpting with light, making the ordinary heroic. And the sweat on his brow, or is it just the light catching? It's that kind of ambiguity that keeps me looking. You know, this reminds me of some of Kathe Kollwitz’s prints, that same working class grit, but Thrash brings this very American optimism to it. It’s like he’s saying, ‘Yeah, life’s tough, but look at this guy, he’s got the strength to face it.’ And that’s what art’s all about, isn’t it? Finding the beauty in the everyday struggle.