Valentine c. 1938

Rex F. Bush's "Valentine" is a delicately wrought piece, most likely made with ink and paper. Imagine him, scissors in hand, carefully carving out this lacy pattern. The whole thing has an amazing symmetrical balance, as if he's folding and cutting like a kid making snowflakes! The interplay of positive and negative space is so playful, with hearts, birds and flowers intertwined with handwritten notes. I can imagine him poring over this, refining each cut, each word, searching for just the right expression. The inscription feels like a secret code, a personal message of love and affection. It reminds me of the work of other artists who embrace the handmade, like Sophie Taeuber-Arp, who used collage to create abstract compositions. Rex is part of this ongoing conversation between artists, finding new ways to express our feelings through color, line, and form. I am happy to have spent this moment with him.