Moonrise 2020

Daria Theodora made this drawing called 'Moonrise' sometime in the 20th century using what looks like watercolour and ink. The colour palette here is really striking – a kind of muted dreamscape of greens, pinks, and purples. It’s all these soft, washy layers, but then there’s a sharp, precise line work that gives everything this amazing clarity. I love the way she uses texture; the clouds of smoke or mist are built up from tiny, swirling strokes, which contrasts with the smooth, flat washes of color in the background. Look at the way the light seems to emanate from the moon, softly illuminating everything around it. It feels like you could step right into this world, full of strange and wonderful creatures. This piece reminds me a little bit of Remedios Varo, in that both artists create these intricate, otherworldly scenes that feel both familiar and totally alien. In both cases, it's not about making perfect sense, but about opening up a space for imagination and wonder.