#21: El Corazón (The Heart) 2008

This is #21: El Corazón (The Heart) by Marina Pallares, a small, intense world rendered in black and white. It’s a linocut, so the marks are direct, economical, like a punch to the gut. You know, making a print is about embracing process, trusting the knife, and letting the material speak. The whole image pulses with a raw energy. Look at the hands cradling the heart, how they're rendered with these choppy, rhythmic strokes. And that heart – it's not just a symbol, it's a vessel, radiating light or maybe pain. Notice how Pallares uses the stark contrast to create depth and texture. The black ink feels almost velvety against the stark white paper. It's like she's carving emotions right out of the block. This piece reminds me a bit of the graphic power of German Expressionist prints, like Käthe Kollwitz. But Pallares brings her own distinct voice. It’s a reminder that art is never just about replicating something; it’s about channeling something, something deeply felt.