Exlibris A. Strumiłło 1976

This etching, 'Exlibris A. Strumiłło', was made in 1977 by Oleksandr Aksinin, and is a window into a mindscape. It’s an intense work, teeming with symbols and fine lines. I imagine Aksinin hunched over the plate, meticulously scratching away, building up this strange, dreamlike composition. A bearded figure emerges from what seems like a book, maybe representing knowledge or the self. There are letters and architectural forms, all rendered in obsessive detail. The work feels personal. Aksinin, who lived and worked in Soviet Ukraine, wasn't officially recognised, so his art became a kind of personal rebellion. You can see the influence of artists like Piranesi and Escher in his obsessive patterning and architectural fantasy, but it's all filtered through a unique sensibility. Artists are always in conversation with one another, finding inspiration and pushing boundaries. Ultimately, this print is a testament to the power of art as a form of expression. Its ambiguity allows for multiple interpretations. What do you see in it?