People 1986

Se-Ok Suh’s ‘People’ is made with ink, on paper, at an unknown date. There is something so beautiful and simple about the way the artist uses ink wash to create these repeating figures. I love how the ink bleeds slightly into the paper, creating a soft, almost hazy effect. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the surface, like a dance. Look at the zig-zagging lines, they suggest a crowd but also could be read as a woven textile. Each figure is connected, each is a variation on the same form, the overall effect is like looking at a whole city, teeming with life, yet made up of the same building blocks, humanity in numbers. Thinking about this piece, I'm reminded of the work of Agnes Martin, in that she also uses repetition and subtle variation to create these meditative, contemplative spaces. Ultimately, it's up to you, the viewer, to decide what this piece means to you.