Untitled 1957

This untitled work was made by Perle Fine, likely in the mid-20th century, using ink on graph paper. The choice of materials here is striking. Fine didn't opt for traditional fine art paper, but instead, a utilitarian material meant for technical drawing. The ink, applied in drips and splatters, creates a dynamic interplay between control and chance, a quality emphasized by the grid beneath. This contrast invites us to consider the processes behind the work. Was it a quick, spontaneous gesture, or a more deliberate act? The use of graph paper subtly hints at the intersection of art and industry, calculation and intuition. It prompts us to think about the wider social context in which Fine was working and how everyday materials can be elevated through artistic vision, blurring the lines between the practical and the poetic. Ultimately, this work demonstrates the power of material and process to imbue art with deeper meaning.