Confessional Screen c. 1936

William Hoffman made this Confessional Screen, on paper, with what looks like ink and maybe some watercolour, we don't know when. On the left, the dark screen has a star-like pattern, tiny dots that suggest secrets whispered in the dark. On the right, we see what looks like thick paint around the edges, dripping down like confessions spilling out. Hoffman embraces the physicality of his medium, and lets it flow. These marks, made with what seems like a playful approach, remind me of Cy Twombly’s work. Both artists share this raw, unpolished feel. Ultimately, Hoffman invites us to consider that art, like confession, isn't about perfect answers, but about the messy, beautiful process of revealing ourselves.